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For Immediate Release
November 13, 2007
Heart to Heart Campaign launched to boost critical cardiac care at RCH and reduce wait times for patients across region
A rare quiet moment in the Cardiac Catheterization Lab for Dr. Gerald Simkus, head of Cardiac Services at Royal Columbian Hospital
New Westminster – The Royal Columbian Hospital (RCH) Foundation today announced a $2-million Heart to Heart Campaign to support major enhancements to cardiac services at Royal Columbian Hospital, Fraser Health’s regional hospital for acute cardiac care. The campaign plans to raise money to help fund equipment which will mean less waiting time and more services for patients across the health region that need open heart surgery or a less invasive procedure such as cardiac catheterization.
“We are thrilled to be working with the community to support cardiac services at RCH. As one of four cardiac surgery and catheterization centres in the province we understand the increasing demand for care and strain on existing resources at the hospital,” said Adrienne Bakker, President & CEO of RCH Foundation. “This project is another wonderful example of how the Foundation can partner with donors and Fraser Health to build on provincial government funding to improve access and provide the best cardiac care at RCH for patients in our communities and across the region.”
“RCH is the only hospital in Fraser Health to perform open heart surgery, and our surgical teams will welcome these enhancements, which will allow life-saving surgery on an additional 130 patients a year, for a total of about 800 cases,” said Dr. Gerald Simkus, head of the Cardiac Services Department at RCH.
Four additional beds will open on the cardiac inpatient unit to accommodate the extra cases and there will be two additional beds for cardiac surgery intensive care. Renovations are currently underway to create a new, larger Cardiac Surgery Intensive Care Unit (CSICU). The campaign plans to raise money for beds and equipment to support this expansion of cardiac care at RCH.
The campaign will also help expand hours for RCH’s two existing Cardiac Catheterization (Cath) Labs, which offer a minimally invasive alternative to open heart surgery for appropriate patients. These expanded hours will enable RCH to treat 1,100 additional patients per year. Currently, RCH performs about 4,700 such procedures per year and is available for emergency cases 24/7.
“The expected increased level of service will benefit residents of communities across Fraser Health,” said Dr. Nigel Murray, President & CEO, Fraser Health. “Most importantly this proposed increased service will improve access, care and outcomes for these patients and it will also free up the beds at community hospitals for other urgent cases.”
"We’re excited at the campaign which promises to increase service as well as improve space. Support from donors and the community will really make a difference and enable us to care for more cardiac patients and provide a better working environment for our cardiac CSICU team,” said Gillian Harwood, Executive Director of RCH. “It also helps to further establish our cardiac program as one of the best in the country.”
Royal Columbian Hospital is one of 12 hospitals under the umbrella of the Fraser Health Authority. It is a regional referral hospital providing specialized care to 1.5 million people from Burnaby to Boston Bar. RCH is also a community hospital serving the residents of New Westminster and surrounding communities. It cares for patients from across Fraser Health who need specialized services in trauma, critical care, cardiac, maternity, newborn intensive care and neurosciences.
RCH Foundation is an independent charitable organization that raises millions of dollars every year to fund priority projects and equipment needs at Royal Columbian Hospital. This year the Foundation is raising $1 million for the annual Urgent Needs Campaign to fund equipment throughout the hospital, and $2 million for the Heart to Heart Campaign to fund equipment for cardiac services and the new Cardiac Surgery Intensive Care Unit at RCH.
Media Contacts:
Fraser Health Communications 604-450-7881 (pager).
RCH Foundation - Susie Poulsen, Director, Marketing & Communications
Tel: 604-520-4808 Fax: 604-520-4439 susie.poulsen@fraserhealth.ca
Visit our web sites www.fraserhealth.ca and www.rchfoundation.com for more information.
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