In 2020 generous donors answered the call to help buy new beds for the Saanich Peninsula Hospital’s Long-term Care residents. This month, thanks to their donations, the final beds have been installed. We are overjoyed to say that every single bed – 147 in total – in Long-term Care has now been replaced.
It was a proud day when Sarah Bragg, SPHHF CEO and Michele Holmes, SPHHF Board Director, visited the hospital to meet the team who have been instrumental in getting the new beds installed, and staff trained to use them. Shirley Finnegan (LTC Clinical Nurse Leader) explained how the beds are making a huge difference to both staff and residents. Nursing is a very physical job and these new beds, with their state-of-the-art control systems, allow a safer work environment. The beds can be raised and lowered in height as well as tilted into a sitting position. The mattresses will also help shift the bed’s occupant from one side of their body to the other.
Some residents spend up to 80% of their time in bed and their comfort is so important to their quality of life. Valerie Watanabe (Physiotherapist LTC) pointed out how the new beds are able to be customized for their occupant. The temperature can be adjusted as can the firmness of the mattress; details like this reduce skin break down issues. The beds also reflect the fact that the size of the population has changed. Men in particular have got taller over the decades, the new beds are sized to meet current needs.
Stephanie Cowland (Clinical Nurse Leader LTC) shared how the new beds, and the over bed tables and bedside tables that have been bought to accompany them have really boosted morale for residents and staff. The fact that donors have recognised the importance of the equipment and furnishings in Long-term Care makes residents feel loved and respected. Stephanie also showed some of the other upgrades in Long-term Care that donor funds have enabled including a new Nurses Station and therapy tools like the wall mounted sensory lightbox.
Michele Holmes spoke for the whole Board when she said “we are super pumped that the community has provided such a wonderful thing for the hospital. Our community should be proud of what we do – we’re the only unit with 100% of these new beds!”
The campaign to renovate and upgrade Long-term Care has made a big difference to residents and staff thanks to our amazing donors. Thank you donors for making a difference, it is a gift that will keep on giving!
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