Join us at The Chilliwack Progress as we take our readers on a thoughtful trip down memory lane. Our Top Stories will recap the most significant news events, milestones and emerging themes that have shaped Chilliwack in 2016. It was undeniably a notable year, from an unprecedented spike in homelessness, to major development news, to the community revealing its keen interest in crime and politics, and a most caring heart.
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Support for the Chilliwack General Hospital was huge in 2016, and the number of improvements there provides the best evidence of that.
One of the major changes is the addition of a pediatric observation unit in April. The rooms, play area, and common space was lovingly created and decorated with donations from the Rotary Club of Chilliwack-Fraser, Chilliwack Hospital Auxiliary, the Fraser Valley Shrine Club 11, and the Kiwanis Club of Sardis.
The unit, with four beds and a beautiful crib, is adjacent to the maternity floor, and overseen by the hospital’s pediatricians and pediatric-trained nurses. It’s been put to good use over the year since, offering children a quiet refuge away from the emergency room as they are in observation or awaiting transfer to BC Children’s Hospital.
It had been in the works for many years, but 2016 was the year it came to be.
The hospital also welcomed the addition of an echocardiogram unit, in the imaging department. It’s one of the many developments that will allow patients access to health services closer to home, instead of travelling to Abbotsford.
It’s expected that the new unit will be used by about 900 annually.
The Fraser Valley Health Care Foundation was joined by the Mount Cheam Lions and Steller’s Jay Lions to launch a fundraising campaign for the Regional Eye Centre at CGH.
Their goal is to raise $600,000 by the end of the year, for six new pieces of equipment including two phacoemulsification systems for cataract surgery. And they are near their goal, thanks to some massive support from local businesses and organizations.
Run For Mom dollars were used to purchase a fetal monitor for the maternity department. The monitor measure the vital signs of both baby and mother, detecting heart rate, uterine activity, fetal movement and help reduce complications. Every year, donations from the run pay for specialized equipment for that department.
Hundreds of thousands of dollars were raised for patient care, from mental health initiatives, to equipment at the Bradley Centre.
Each purchase was much needed, and will greatly improve the quality of health care for eastern Fraser Valley residents throughout 2017.
To learn more about the exciting projects underway at CGH visit www.fvhcf.ca.