(Submitted)

 The Cypress Health Region and Southwest Healthcare Improvement Oversight Committee continue to move forward with capital project planning in Maple Creek. Preparations for the new Southwest Integrated Healthcare Facility in Maple Creek are ongoing with a variety of processes underway over the summer months.

As part of the ongoing process regarding the schematic design for the facility, the fourth set of meetings is scheduled to be held on August 9th and 10th with the full complement of project stakeholders. Project Manager ZW Group and members of Stantec Architecture will facilitate these design planning meetings with representatives of the Maple Creek health provider team, local managers, steering committee members, and Cypress Health’s management team. Part of the discussions will focus on the review of final drafts of the functional program and updated schematic designs including interior and site plans.

Activity at the new facility’s site is continuing to occur with a series of geological survey work being currently undertaken. This survey work will provide a variety of information on the soil and substrate composition, subsoil water levels, load bearing capacity, and other such data necessary in the pre-construction planning process.

The Building Steering Committee has developed and distributed a ‘request for proposals’ to search for companies and organizations that specialize in equipment consultation services for this type of project. The successful applicant will provide the coordination and expertise in the purchase of the identified equipment needs (capital and other) for the building’s operation.

Once completed, the new integrated facility will see a continuum of health care services provided under one roof. The facility will house 48 long term care beds, 24 acute care beds (10 of which will be multi-purpose), EMS, community health, home care, primary health care, and facility planning for future expansion of services. A total project budget of $45.24 million dollars has been determined.

The effective integration of health services in Maple Creek will create a major reduction in wait times, increase community access to a broad range of previously unavailable specialty services, incorporate Telehealth and video conferencing in universal care rooms with specialists throughout the province, and eliminate the need for unnecessary travel to receive health services.