City updated on hospital foundation’s expansion
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PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE — The Portage District General Hospital Foundation is rebranding and expanding its mission to focus on staff recruitment as construction on the region’s new hospital is completed.
Joe Masi, city councillor and board chair of the foundation, provided a comprehensive update to city council recently, marking one year since the organization launched its current strategic plan. He revealed that the foundation is in the legal process of changing its name to the Portage Regional Healthcare Foundation to signify a broader scope of work.
“We’re changing the name to better reflect that we’re now getting into more things,” Masi said. “Not just equipment, but we’re doing more for improving the health-care system in Portage.”
An important pillar of the new strategy is the retention and recruitment of health-care professionals. Masi noted that while the new facility will be state-of-the-art, its success depends on the people working inside. To support this, the foundation is funding bursaries for students entering the health field and professional development for current staff.
Recent initiatives include funding specialized obstetrics training for 30 nurses, and an emergency pediatric course. The foundation is also providing gym equipment for staff to use at the new facility.
“Without good staff, you have a hospital, but you need to have the right health-care professionals to fill it up,” Masi said. “We want to make sure the people we have stay here in Portage and have a great experience.”
The foundation’s equipment contributions remain significant. Masi confirmed the purchase of six chemotherapy chairs, 10 dialysis chairs, 60 beds and 24 stretchers, all brand new. He said the new hospital will not use beds moved from the old facility. There will also be a new ultrasound machine.
Looking ahead to the fall, the foundation plans to host a “Health-care Summit” to engage donors and provide a transparent look at how funds are being allocated. Masi also highlighted a recent $1-million donation from the Hughes family, and noted that $5 million remains set aside in the event the province approves an MRI machine for the region.
Other future projects include being part of discussions of a daycare facility near the hospital site to assist staff, and the recruitment of a respiratory therapist. Local historian James Kostuchuk is also working on a history book documenting the transition from the old hospital to the new one.
» Portage Graphic Leader