Construction of the long-awaited new Neepawa Health Centre is more than 75 per cent complete.
The hospital is on a 39-acre site east of town.
Treena Slate is the CEO of Prairie Mountain Health.
"We are very happy about meeting that milestone," said Slate. "It's been achieved through the excellent collaboration with all of the stakeholders involved, including our staff and physicians."
Slate says they're on track to open the new hospital early next year. It'll be a phased opening to ease the transition from the old building to the new one.
Phase one will see current services moved into the hospital. Phase two included expanded capacity, including additional inpatient beds and a new nine-station hemodialysis unit.
"It's going to be such a wonderful addition to that community and to our health services across the region," said Slate.
The new facility will be roughly three and a half times larger than the existing hospital. It'll feature 60 acute care beds, up from 35. It'll also feature an emergency department, trauma and assessment rooms, additional diagnostic spaces, dedicated chemotherapy treatment stations, expanded maternity and palliative care areas, and enhanced therapy services.
The newer standard of care delivery is contributing to the amount of square footage.
"Instead of having shared patient rooms, they will all be single rooms with their own bathroom," ended Slate. "As an example, there will be much more room in the emergency department and diagnostic services area."
Construction of the new hospital is one of Manitoba's largest rural health-care investments. The new space will be much more open, bright, and inclusive.
Slate adds that there will be a hiring wave. Additional staff will be needed in all departments, including nutrition services, housekeeping, facility maintenance, and clinical services.
