REGINA, Sask. — The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) has announced renovations are scheduled to begin Sept. 14 to the entrance of the Regina General Hospital’s (RGH) emergency department (ED).
A news release from the SHA says once complete, the changes will improve patient flow, enhance safety and meet the increasing number of patients accessing care in the ED. The provincial government has committed $1.9 million to the project.
The renovation will occur in four phases, the news release said. During the first and second phases, construction will occur on the external areas of the emergency entrance, while phases 2 through 4 will involve work on triage, registration and the waiting room. There will be no change to the location or functioning of the RGH emergency department, the news release said, or access to emergency medical services (EMS) to the hospital.
“The high-quality care patients expect when accessing emergency care will not be impacted by these important renovations,” said Tom Stewart, SHA’s executive director of acute care for integrated Regina health.
“Patients will continue to have 24/7 access to the Regina General Hospital emergency department. We appreciate the understanding of our patients, visitors, staff and physicians during the ongoing construction.”
This project will also improve security and safety, the news release said, with the full integration of SHA’s Protective Services into the department’s emergency entrance, meaning improved sightlines and visibility. Public lockers will be added for patients to securely store personal belongings.
Once complete, the news release said the renovation will support SHA staff and physicians in continuing to provide safe and compassionate patient-centered care.
Visitors to the hospital are asked to take care while navigating the parking lot and when entering and exiting through the emergency department, the SHA said, due to the increased construction activity. Some parking spaces dedicated to short-term emergency drop-offs will be relocated a short distance away and marked with temporary signage. Everyone arriving at the site is asked to follow on-site signage to be guided safely to the emergency department.
The Regina General Hospital (RGH) emergency department was last renovated in 1998, the news release said, and sees on average 153 patients per day and over 56,000 patients annually.
