PRPA's Community Investment Fund commits 60,000 dollars to Hospital equipment project

Surgeons at Prince Rupert Regional Hospital now have use of a second
laparoscopic surgery tower following a financial commitment from the
Prince Rupert Port Authority's Community Investment Fund
(photo from PRPA)

Doctors at Prince Rupert Regional Hospital now have use of a state of the art piece of hospital equipment that will expand the capacity for a range of surgical procedures in the PRRH Operating room.

In an announcement today, the Port of Prince Rupert announced that it had committed 60,000 dollars through their Community Investment Fund towards the purchase of laparoscopic surgery tower. 

The piece of equipment it is explained is used in minimally invasive surgeries and enables specialists to perform many kinds of procedures on patients without making large incisions. 

Designed as a versatile all-in-one unit that is compatible with a number of other instruments, the laparoscopic tower is used to visualize and document a broad range of surgeries. It produces, displays, and records high-quality digital images that help reduce surgical complications and achieve better outcomes.   

The purchase provides for an additional resource for the hospital, prior to the purchase of this second unit,  Prince Rupert Regional Hospital had a single laparoscopic surgical tower to use between two operating rooms, which created logistical and scheduling challenges. 

Now, with the addition of the second tower, the hospital is able to better manage the demand for the equipment, allowing specialists to simultaneously access laparoscopic towers to perform a wide array of orthopedic, gynecology, Ear, Nose & Throat, and general surgeries.

Julia Pemberton, Northern Health Services Administrator, Prince Rupert noted of the PRPA's ongoing support for hospital requirements, as well as to how the new piece of machinery will aid in attracting staff. 

“We are very grateful to the Prince Rupert Port Authority’s Community Investment Fund for the ongoing support toward the purchase of new medical equipment and other upgrades, including this laparoscopic surgical tower which will enable more timely care for patients. 

Having this state-of-the-art technology available at Prince Rupert Regional Hospital is also key to attracting and retaining specialists, by providing them with  access to the appropriate equipment to best serve and support our community.” 

Over the last decade the Port's Community Investment Fund has directed a range of equipment and accessory purchases towards the betterment of services in Prince Rupert some of those have included:

Hospital Bed Replacement Project - $150,000  

Enhanced Cancer Care Unit - $100,000  

Diagnostic Ultrasound Machine Upgrade - $72,500  

X-Ray Machine Replacement - $69,750  

Orthopedic Surgical Equipment - $60,500  

Cancer Screening Scope Guide - $35,260  

In-patient Bathtub Upgrade - $45,500  

Palliative Care Upgrades- $36,500 

That ongoing investment made for some of the commentary from PRPA President and CEO Shaun Stevenson as part of today's announcement.

“The Prince Rupert Port Authority is committed to investing in medical equipment that modernizes Prince Rupert Regional Hospital, improves the quality of local healthcare services, and helps ensure that people living in communities across the North Coast can receive the surgical procedures they require without having to travel far from home,”

More on today's commitment to Northern Health and the Prince Rupert Hospital can be reviewed here.

A look at some of the past Community Investment funding projects can be found here.

A wider overview of Port related themes is available here, while our notes on Northern Health can be reviewed here.