Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Expansion Proceeding In Prince Albert

Released on November 20, 2020

Construction is moving ahead on an expansion of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the Prince Albert Victoria Hospital, to help meet the needs of families from across northern Saskatchewan.

Following a Request for Proposals (RFP) process, the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) selected Quorex Construction Services Ltd. of Saskatoon as the successful bidder on the $2 million project.  Funding for the project will come from the Prince Albert Victoria Hospital Foundation.

“This new facility will serve higher risk babies and families from across northern Saskatchewan,” Mental Health and Addictions, Seniors and Rural and Remote Health Minister Everett Hindley said.  “Our government thanks all who have generously supported this project, and we look forward to its completion.”

“The Saskatchewan Health Authority conducted a fair, open and transparent procurement process, and we look forward to working with Quorex Construction Services on this new space to support the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit,” Saskatchewan Health Authority Vice President of Infrastructure, Information and Support Andrew Will said.

Construction of the unit is targeted for completion in July of 2021, with a plan to be operational in late summer next year.  When complete, the expanded unit will have space to accommodate up to 11 medically fragile babies and their families, keeping more infants closer to home.  Prince Albert supports 1,500 births as the third largest high risk maternal care site in Saskatchewan, including infants as low as 34 weeks gestation.

“We are very proud to have initiated such an important effort with the support of their community,” Prince Albert Victoria Hospital Foundation CEO Sherry Buckler said.  “We understand and appreciate the great work of the Prince Albert pediatric physicians and staff in the provision of high quality neonatal care, and we recognize the importance of investing in the best possible healthcare for our newborns in Prince Albert.  We look forward to working with the SHA and our many generous community partners to continue to make this project a reality.”

“This project, which will become a Level 2 NICU, is a key element of the Saskatchewan neonatal network,” Saskatchewan Health Authority Executive Director of Maternal and Children’s Provincial Programs Carrie Dornstauder said.  “In February 2019, a provincial approach to addressing surge capacity for high risk maternal and newborn care was implemented.  This approach has nearly eliminated out-of-province and out-of-country transports of mothers and infants, keeping our families here in Saskatchewan.  We appreciate the support of this important project by the Saskatchewan Government.”

The project takes into account the broader planned expansion of PA Victoria Hospital, announced in spring 2020.  The unit is designed to be flexible and adaptable for future expansion of Victoria Hospital, as the SHA prepares to make it into a Level 2 NICU.

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