More comforts for patients at Prince Rupert Hospital, residents of Acropolis Manor as PRPA and NCHIS team up on bed project

Patients have new beds at both Prince Rupert Regional Hospital 
and Acropolis Manor after a bed replacement program
(Photo from PRPA announcement)

Enhancing the quality of healthcare for those in the Prince Rupert area using the services of Prince Rupert Regional Hospital or living at the Acropolis Manor was the focus for the Prince Rupert Port Authority and the North Coast Health Improvement Society and this week, the result of their work came to its fruition.

That as they two partners announced that they have furnished both facilities with 61 new hospital beds, a much anticipated step up from the previous furnishings that have served well.

As part of their statement today, the scope of the improvements for patients and residents was outlined.

The new hospital beds offer a suite of features that make them safer, more efficient, and capable of accommodating people with a wide range of physical needs. Equipped with two sets of controls, the beds easily lower to the ground, helping prevent falls as patients get in-and-out. 

Conversely, the beds also rise to meet the individual heights of healthcare providers, reducing the number of repetitive stress injuries incurred while attending to patients. 

Additionally, a single mechanism is required to lock the beds in place, whereas the old beds required four separate locks to keep them from moving. 

The new beds are also easily adjustable and capable of fitting two different sizes of mattresses, to best suit the needs of the patient.

The Prince Rupert Port Authority’s Community Investment Fund provided $150,000 towards this $300,000 project. 

DP World Prince Rupert, Trigon Pacific Terminals, and ILWU also made significant contributions to the total.

A short video provides a glimpse of how the new beds will work.

PRPA President and CEO Shaun Stevenson noted of the improved standard of care that the beds will bring to both facilities.

"This project helps modernize our local healthcare facilities, enables a greater standard of care for people receiving treatment here in our community, and improves the working environment for the dedicated staff who provide that care.”

For North Coast Health Improvement Society President Stefan Delloch, the support of organizations such as the PRPA is a key towards delivering on their plans for improved health care in the region.

“The Bed Replacement project would not have been possible without the generous support of the Prince Rupert Port Authority’s Community Investment Fund, which fully aligns with our endeavours to purchase equipment and support programs that enhance health and wellness for people in our region,”

The Funding for the Bed Project is just the latest financial boost that the PRPA has provided towards health care on the North Coast, in just the last ten years they have provided over 570,000 dollars towards a range of items for both the Hospital and Acropolis.

Among the list:

Enhanced Cancer Care Unit: $100,000
Cancer Screening Scope Guide: $35,260
X-Ray Machine Replacement: $69,750 

Orthopedic Surgical Equipment: $60,500 

In-patient Bathtub Upgrade: $45,500 

Diagnostic Ultrasound Machine Upgrade: $72,500 

Palliative Care Upgrades: $36,500

More background on today's announcement can be reviewed here.

The latest addition for the Hospital and Acropolis Manor, marks the first Community Fund announcement for 2023 and makes for the PRPA's largest healthcare investment in the region to date.

The bed replacement project has been a two year initiative, it was first noted by the North Coast Health Improvement Society in the Spring of 2021.

A look at some of the past investments through PRPA Community Investment Fund can be explored here.