The reception desk for the pediatric unit at the new Jim Pattison Children's Hospital in Saskatoon (Michael Joel-Hansen/paNOW Staff)

By Michael Joel-Hansen

Jim Pattison Children's Hospital

SHA shows off new children’s hospital

May 2, 2019 | 6:18 PM

Thursday was a big day for the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital as the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) officially took possession of the new building.

Corey Miller, vice president of provincial programs for the SHA said the new facility sends a powerful message about the province and its priorities.

“This is a beautiful facility on the banks of the Saskatchewan River, overlooking the city of Saskatoon, [it] is certainly a symbol of our province and how important the children of our province are to us,” he said.

Miller explained the new facility was designed and built taking a number of perspectives into consideration, ranging from patients to health care providers. He added one important aspect to the hospital that is particularly welcome is that rooms are singles, allowing for more privacy. There will also be space for families to stay with their children.

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“Certainly this building allows us to have some new models of care,” Miller said.

A play room for young kids at the new children’s hospital in Saskatoon (Michael Joel-Hansen/paNOW Staff)

Currently the SHA is still working to recruit medical and support staff to fill positions at the new facility. In terms of an opening date, Miller said the health authority is still hoping to able to accept patients come the fall.

Dr. Laurentiu Givelichian, who is with the SHA and teaches at the University of Saskatchewan College of Medicine, said the new facility means families seeking care will not be forced to travel out of province.

“Most of them should be treated right here in our province,” he said.

Givelichian said a very important service the new hospital will be able to provide is kidney dialysis for children. Along with being able to do more, he said the building will provide a better atmosphere for kids to receive care in, which will lead to them responding to treatment better and being discharged earlier.

“This is what this hospital brings, a different environment,” he said.

Besides the facilities, Givelichian said there will be 72 doctors working out of the site which will double the number of pediatricians practicing in the province.

Brynn Boback Lane, president and CEO with the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation, said putting together the hospital has involved contributions from a lot of people, including those who’ve provided information through consultations and who donated money.

The total cost of building the hospital is expected to come in at just over $285 million, with just over $257 million coming from the provincial government and $28 million coming from the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation.The Foundation also fundraised over $75 million for equipment and furnishings. B.C. based businessman and philanthropist Mr. Jim Pattison, originally from Saskatchewan, made an initial $50 million donation to get the whole project underway in May 2017.

Boback Lane said her group still has some work to do to get the facility ready so it can open up in the fall for patients.

“We have about $6 million left to go to get 77,000 pieces of equipment to be ready and waiting for opening day,” she said.

The hospital also has a playground for kids (Michael Joel-Hansen/paNOW Staff)

MichaelJoel.Hansen@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @mjhskcdn