KELOWNA – It was moving day at Kelowna General Hospital, as cardiac patients and staff settled into a new, renovated inpatient unit in the hospital’s Strathcona building over the weekend.

The space on the second floor used to house nine of the hospital’s older operating rooms. As a result of a larger $34 million project to renovate the entire second floor, the space has been turned into a new inpatient unit for cardiac surgery patients, complete with private rooms.

“The Central Okanagan is growing fast, and critical services have to meet rising demand,” said Premier Christy Clark, MLA for Westside-Kelowna. “Because we’ve done the hard work of building Canada’s leading economy, we have the ability to make record investments in health care, and focus more resources on patient care.”

The new unit underwent construction in December 2015 when nine older operating rooms on the second floor were relocated to the new Interior Heart and Surgical Centre building.

“This new space was renovated extensively to create 16 single patient rooms, which will improve care for patients by offering enhanced infection control and added security as well as improved amenities such as private washrooms and a quiet environment,” said Norm Letnick, Kelowna-Lake Country MLA.

With the help of staff members, physicians and volunteers, patients were moved to the new cardiac surgery inpatient unit this past Sunday.

“The new inpatient unit at Kelowna General Hospital is a reflection of government’s commitment to patient-centered care as the new rooms benefit those who need a quiet resting space after surgery to regain their strength and energy,” said Steve Thomson, MLA for Kelowna-Mission.

“I’d like to acknowledge the commitment of our staff to make these improvements to patient care possible,” said IH Board Chair John O’Fee. “It takes a truly dedicated team – from our capital planning staff to those who provide direct care, and those who helped on moving day.”

“Single patient rooms will have many benefits to patients and families,” said Cardiac Medical Director Dr. Guy Fradet. “To begin, there are the safety benefits including infection control. Secondly, the added benefit of privacy advantages both the patient and their families and will better allow us to provide patient-family centered care.”

The next phase involves renovating 2 West, the location where the 16 beds were moved from. Plans for this space include creating single patient rooms and common spaces. The Strathcona building redevelopment is part of the $381 million Interior Heart and Surgical Centre project at Kelowna General Hospital.

Funding for these projects is a shared cost between the Province, the Central Okanagan Regional Hospital District and Interior Health. To learn more about the Interior Heart and Surgical Centre project, please visit: www.interiorhealth.ca/sites/BuildingPatientCare/IHSC/Pages/default.aspx