January 27, 2011
VIKING – The Viking Health Centre today unveils its newly renovated palliative care suite, designed to provide greater comfort to seriously ill patients and their families.
“It’s so rewarding to see this vision come to realization,” said site manager Sharon Burden. “We’ve been receiving a lot of compliments from those who have seen the room.”
The home-like suite, located at the end of the centre’s north wing, features a private washroom, a small kitchen area, an entertainment centre and a sofa bed, so family members can stay the night. Garden doors join the patient room to the family area.
The addition on the family suite doubles the space for patients and their families.
“The new palliative suite will help us improve the quality of life for these patients, so families have every opportunity to enjoy their time together during what can be a very stressful situation. We hope they’ll feel at home, even though they’re at the health centre,” said Burden.
The renovations were completed last month and cost $17,000, funded by donations from hundreds of local community members through the Viking Hospital Foundation.
Every year, about 20 patients use the centre’s palliative suite, which serves the town of Viking and outlying communities.
“Today’s unveiling of the renovated palliative care suite is evidence of what happens when our community comes together to help one another,” said Lloyd Snelgrove, MLA for Vermilion-Lloydminster. “This suite is a welcome addition to the Viking Health Centre and will provide great comfort to patients and their families for many years to come.”
Staff and special guests will celebrate the grand opening with a ribbon cutting tonight.
Palliative care is any form of medical care or treatment that concentrates on reducing the severity of disease symptoms rather than striving to halt, delay, or reverse progression of the disease itself or provide a cure. The goal is to prevent and relieve suffering and to improve quality of life for patients facing serious, complex illness.
Alberta Health Services is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health supports and services for more than 3.7 million adults and children living in Alberta. Its mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans.
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