Birthing mothers and parents have modern birthing rooms unveiled last week at Louise Marshall Hospital and Palmerston and District Hospital.
Families of Minto-Mapleton and Wellington North can now welcome their babies into brand new labour and delivery rooms at North Wellington Health Care’s (NWHC) two hospitals.
“The new rooms are spacious with new concealed state-of-the art technology,” NWHC’s president and CEO Jerome Quenneville said at the official opening Aug. 9. “The modern rooms promote family centered care and will enhance the patient experience.”
The rooms were funded by the Palmerston and District Hospital Foundation and the Louise Marshall Hospital Foundation.
“North Wellington Health Care would like to thank the many generous donors in the community, “ acting NWHC board chairman David Craig said. “Their contributions will enhance the care and experience for mothers, newborns and their supportive family members.”
“The new rooms provide improved safety features for anesthetic gases, oxygen and suction requirements,” said patient care manager Tanya Murtagh. “The rooms are also located in an improved location for quick response by nursing staff.”
“The foundation appreciates the involvement of local supporters to help fund this new room,” Louise Marshall Hospital Foundation president Murray Calder said. “Of the $125,000 cost to renovate, funding came from two significant sources. Several years ago, the CKNX Health Care Heroes Radiothon raised funds that covered about 65 percent of the cost. The remainder was covered through a recent bequest from the late George Elwyn Hockridge of Mount Forest.”
“In addition, a newborn vital signs monitor was purchased for this room,” said sponsor Bill Nelson of Padfield Nelson Insurance. “This was possible because of a read-a-thon which involves children and staff at St. Mary Catholic School in Mount Forest and Egremont Community School in Holstein. “We thank all of these important supporters for providing a new space for babies and their moms.”
North Wellington Health Care is a regional provider of primary and secondary health care services through its two, accredited hospital sites in Mount Forest and Palmerston. The corporation employs about 200 people with 190 volunteers and annually has about 150 births.
