New ICU & High Acuity Unit (HAU) Transforms Critical Care at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital

NANAIMO, BC – October 23, 2024, The Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation (NDHF) is thrilled to announce the successful completion of its most ambitious fundraising campaign to date, exceeding the $10 million dollar goal for the Critical Care Unit at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital (NRGH).
In 2018 the province announced the Critical Care project at NRGH with an estimated cost of $60 million dollars. The Hospital Foundation committed to raise $5 million dollars to fund the medical equipment for the ICU. Thanks to the community’s incredible support, NDHF surpassed the $5 million goal for the new state-of-the-art Intensive Care Unit (ICU), which opened in 2023 and has been working at full capacity.

“The new ICU has been incredibly beneficial to our patients, families and staff,” shared Jane Marriot, ICU Lead at NRGH. “It has allowed the critical care team to provide the upmost in quality care to those patients and families from our community and surrounding areas. This increase in critical care capacity allows our team to continuously grow and meet the ongoing needs of our community and surrounding area.”
Phase 2 required an addition $5 million dollar campaign to equip the High Acuity Unit, adding an addition 12 beds to the Critical Care facility. Fundraising for the HAU is now complete, and the total $10 million-dollar Critical Care campaign is complete ahead of schedule. The Critical Care campaign received the largest single donation in the Foundation’s history from the Windsor Plywood Foundation, who reinforced its commitment to enhancing healthcare for Central and North Island residents with a record-breaking $3 million gift.

NDHF Board Chair Tony Harris shared, “Reaching this incredible fundraising milestone ahead of schedule is a testament to the community’s generosity, dedication, and collective effort in supporting the Critical Care Unit.” He added, “This is just the beginning. The board remains deeply committed to working alongside the Foundation, actively advocating for and supporting the immediate and overdue further infrastructure upgrades required at NRGH.”
“As we celebrate this historic milestone, I am both overwhelmed and deeply impressed by the generosity of our community,” said Barney Ellis-Perry, CEO of the Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation. “To break another record with the largest single donation in our Foundation’s history, and to see so many individuals and organizations step up to support the growth and needs of NRGH, is truly remarkable. The community’s unwavering support has made this life-changing critical care facility a reality for our doctors, healthcare workers and to ensure vital services are provided to patients across Central and North Vancouver Island.”

“The support of the community and partnership with the hospital foundation has played a crucial role in enhancing the excellent care we are proud to provide our patients and families. On behalf of the critical care department, we want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has helped build these two units,” shared Marriot.

Phase 2 of the Critical Care Unit, including the High Acuity Unit (HAU) and physician offices is on target for an expected completion date of Spring 2025.

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About Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation

The Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation was founded to support Island Health facilities. Today, we are raising millions to support our region’s healthcare facilities by leading major fundraising campaigns for critical medical equipment, construction projects and programs that provide the best and highest level of healthcare to the residents on central and north Vancouver Island.
Learn more: https://nanaimohospitalfoundation.com

Media Contact:
Andrea Bava
778-908-1764 | andrea@blitzme.ca