Work is currently ongoing to reopen an emergency department in western Manitoba that had to close due to extensive flood damage several months ago. Over 100 tradespeople have been diligently working both inside and outside the Dauphin hospital to ensure the department is operational by the targeted date of Labour Day, according to the Prairie Mountain regional health authority’s announcement on Wednesday.
The province recently declared that 24/7 emergency services will resume at the hospital’s main floor this Monday, more than two months after heavy rains caused a power outage, damaged the HVAC system, and resulted in the evacuation of numerous patients. Prairie Mountain Health CEO Treena Slate described the impact on the hospital as severe, likening it to damage to the “heart and lungs,” necessitating temporary measures to support the facility’s electrical and mechanical functions.
Hazmat-clad crews were observed at the hospital on Wednesday, preparing to clear away mud and water remnants left by the late June downpour that affected the region. The restoration efforts involve two main contractors and multiple subcontractors, with one group focusing on restoring the ground floor and crawl space of the hospital and adjacent personal care home, while the other team concentrates on setting up the temporary emergency department.
Neil Granger, the owner of subcontractor River City Renos, mentioned that despite the substantial workload, they are striving to complete the carpentry tasks needed for the temporary department without a specific end date in sight. Slate acknowledged the ambitious nature of the targeted reopening but expressed confidence that the emergency department would be fully operational by the set date.
Meanwhile, the province has assured the continuity of dialysis, chemotherapy, and labor and delivery services at alternative facilities, with transportation assistance available for patients. Walk-in diagnostic services temporarily relocated to Dauphin’s provincial building are poised to return to the hospital, with a mobile CT unit expected to be operational within a few weeks. Plans are also underway to reintroduce additional services like surgery and endoscopy.
Local resident Sandra Olsen emphasized the community’s reliance on emergency services, particularly highlighted by the cancellation of the annual Ukrainian Festival due to the flooding incident. The absence of nearby emergency care during the festival underscored the essential need for accessible emergency services in the community.
The restoration progress at Dauphin’s hospital can be witnessed in real-time as more than 100 tradespeople endeavor to have the emergency department fully functional by Monday. The facility’s primary power source was disrupted following heavy rainfall, which flooded the southwestern Manitoba building’s basement around Canada Day.