The ChildrenB次元官网网址檚 Health Foundation of Vancouver Island is proposing a B次元官网网址渉ome away from homeB次元官网网址� to be built at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital.
The facility, to be named JesseB次元官网网址檚 House, would provide accommodations near health-care services and remove the financial burden of accommodation costs for pregnant women and families who require close proximity to medical services, or require an extended hospital stay for medical treatments.
The foundation has served the Island since 1927.
B次元官网网址淥ur mission is to ensure that all Island families have access to the health care that they need, when and where they need it most,B次元官网网址� said Veronica Carroll, foundation CEO, in her presentation to city council Monday, May 30.
The foundation operates Jeneece Place, a 10-bedroom facility in Victoria, and Qwalayu House, a similar facility in Campbell River. Annual total combined operating costs for both facilities are about $970,000, paid for solely by donations. The foundation does not rely on government funding.
B次元官网网址淭hanks to the generosity of our donors B次元官网网址� we are able to bring supports closer to home and help transform the lives of children and youths living with physical and mental health challenges,B次元官网网址� Carroll said.
She said families across the Island find themselves in Nanaimo for health care. NRGH hosts one of the IslandB次元官网网址檚 two neonatal intensive care units and paediatric clinical care. Nanaimo also hosts other community-based health care services such as dental and assessments. Pregnant women also relocate to Nanaimo from rural and remote communities as their due dates approach.
Jesse, for whom the proposed facility is named for, was a child born in Nanaimo prematurely at 29 weeks and was airlifted to Victoria where her family stayed at Jeneece Place for two weeks. Jesse was transferred to neonatal care at NRGH and later discharged and was at home only one week before she died unexpectedly at just six weeks old.
JesseB次元官网网址檚 mother, a nurse at NRGH, discovered patients in Nanaimo had a much different experience than those who experienced the comfort and safety of Jeneece Place, Carroll said.
B次元官网网址淔amilies at NRGH were struggling with the expense of hotels, taking buses and taxis across town to be with their children, or sleeping in their vehicles,B次元官网网址� Carroll said.
JesseB次元官网网址檚 family started JesseB次元官网网址檚 Gift Foundation, which raises money to ease the burden for families whose children are receiving care at NRGH.
Carroll said the foundation sees evidence of improved health outcomes for families from across the Island when they have access to safe and affordable accommodation.
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The ChildrenB次元官网网址檚 Health Foundation has proposed JesseB次元官网网址檚 House be built on the NRGH campus, but has yet to be granted formal approval from Island Health, with discussions in the preliminary stages. Carroll said the foundation hopes for fast-tracked permitting and waived fees, similar to the municipal support received by Qwalayu House and Jeneece House.
B次元官网网址淲hile waiting for this resource to be developed, many families have struggled to receive the care they need,B次元官网网址� Carroll said. B次元官网网址淜nowing that there is a great need, we are keen to move this project forward as soon as possible.B次元官网网址�
Several members of council expressed their support for the project, with Coun. Erin Hemmens saying she has friends who stayed at Jeneece Place and understands the value of the service.
Armstrong said itB次元官网网址檚 a worthwhile project and urged the foundation to present to the regional hospital board.
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