More good news regarding the work we are doing to repair and improve your healthcare. Our government has officially opened the state-of-the-art operating room at Concordia Hospital that will increase capacity by up to 1,000 inpatient and same-day hip and knee replacement procedures per year.
We are taking action and getting things done. It is easy to make promises and you will many over the next few months. Action speaks louder than words, and I am pleased with the improvements implemented.
In addition to renovating the operating room, this expansion includes an additional orthopedic surgeon, investment in anesthesia staff, four new inpatient beds, and additional nursing and allied health staff.
“With the opening of our new operating room at Concordia Hospital, we are taking a significant step towards addressing the growing demand for joint replacement surgeries in our community," said Carrie Fruehm, president and COO, Concordia Hospital. "This expansion not only increases our capacity but also allows us to reduce wait times and provide our patients with timely access to the care they need. We are grateful to the Manitoba government and the Concordia Foundation for their partnership in making this expansion a reality. By working together, we can continue to deliver exceptional care, advance medical innovation, and improve the quality of life for our patients.”
The Concordia Foundation led the fundraising efforts supporting the renovation of operating room No. 5 to increase the hospital’s joint replacement surgery capacity with the help of over 200 donors who contributed $350,000 toward the capital costs of the project.
"By collaborating in this initiative, the Concordia Foundation demonstrated our mission and vision to further enable Concordia Hospital to be a leader in exemplary care, innovation and academic excellence," said Roger Gripp, president and board chair, Concordia Foundation. "The foundation is pleased to have partnered with the Diagnostic and Surgical Recovery Task Force and the Manitoba government on this urgently needed increase to joint replacement surgery capacity at Concordia Hospital."
Roxann Goudy, a recent knee surgery patient. “I arrived at Concordia Hospital at 6 a.m. and left the next day just after lunch. It was simply amazing. I couldn’t have asked for better staff. They were supeer helpful, checking in on me and making sure I was comfortable. It just seemed to flow well.”
The Manitoba government established the DSRTF in late 2021 to address waitlists for diagnostic and surgical procedures, and other related services affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Supported by experts from across Canada, the team of respected local health-care professionals identify and implement short- and long-term solutions to improve surgical and diagnostic waitlists and make overall lasting improvements to Manitoba’s health-care system.