Since its beginnings in 1961, Lions Gate Hospital has been subject to many an upgrade and revamp, but the changes occurring at the medical facility currently are some of the most innovative yet, tout its staff.
Upgrades for both the hospital’s edifice and environment within are in the works, including seven large infrastructure changes to the buildings, and improvements to the facilities with the introduction of new technology and equipment.
Next year, the much awaited Paul Myers Tower, a new medical and surgical centre, will open. It will mark the end of a four-year construction project for the hospital, one made possible by the biggest campaign ever to take place in LGH history.
In addition to government input, the project was moved along by more than $100 million in funds raised through a charitable effort by the LGH Foundation. A donation of $25 million, the largest financial contribution given to a hospital foundation in British Columbia, was proffered by North Shore businessman Paul Myers, owner of Keith Plumbing & Heating, securing the name of the new building as the Paul Myers Tower.
Due to open next spring, the acute care facility will boast 108 single-patient rooms, eight new operating rooms, a new pre-operative and post-operative care area, a telehealth centre and a primary care centre.
A roof garden, set for the fourth floor, will include walking loops and a courtyard with seating.
In a City of North Vancouver council meeting May 27, LGH staff announced it would be redeveloping six other sites across the hospital under the project, dubbed Health Vision. Also on the list are the hospital’s St. Andrew’s site, parking garage, Evergreen House nursing home and mental health facility HOpe Centre.
Within the walls of the hospital there are equal amounts of restructuring and upgrading set to improve the experiences of patients. The dementia ward, in particular, has begun running initiatives that are gaining their fair share of attention.
“They are doing some incredible things to support the patients that are on 4 West,” said Vancouver Coastal Health’s April Penney.
Penney said the facility has introduced a number of different initiatives that help engage those suffering neurodegenerative disease, in a way that is “kind, gentle and compassionate” to the patients.
Among them include the unit’s ‘bus stop,’ a faux station stop complete with a map of the area, a space to get coffee and, as of recently, a North Shore News newspaper box. Writing to the North Shore News in May, patient care co-ordinator Krista McPhail said it gives patients a safe space to be directed to when they’re confused and hoping to travel, where they can be offered a paper and a hot beverage while they wait.
Oftentimes the time spent waiting at the stop helps patients self-regulate, she said.
“They usually get distracted and forget that they wanted to leave. The staff are able to then engage them in another activity without using medication,” said McPhail. “It’s a gentle way of managing dementia.”
There is also a bank front, where dementia patients can be escorted to when they’re determined to deliver a cheque or speak with a consultant. Merely being a shop front, the bank is always closed, and so patients are forced to put their chores on hold for another day.
“We tell them that we can come back tomorrow, and usually that is a bridge into reducing their agitation or their anxiety around making that visit, and then they can transition into another activity or program that is more pleasant, or bring about more positive feelings,” said Penney.
Within the ward the hospital has a nail salon and a hair salon, and there are sports and fitness activities that keep the patients busy in a more engaging and beneficial way, said Penney. Often patients indulge in morning dance classes, indoor hockey sessions and long walks outdoors.
Throughout the rest of the hospital there are new initiatives that not only heighten the experience of the patients and staff within Lions Gate Hospital, but the hundreds of visitors it sees each day, too.
In recent months The LGH Foundation has installed a selection of new bike lids, storage spaces for those cycling into the facility, and even a piano, so staff and patients can try their hand at tinkling the ivories.
“There are all of these things that are really meant to meet the patients and the visitors where they are, and provide that dignified care, relief and comfort for them,” said Penney.
This story was originally published as part of the Progress Report print feature in the June 12 edition of the North Shore News.
Mina Kerr-Lazenby is the North Shore News’ Indigenous and civic affairs reporter. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.
