Family Medicine Unit in Lamèque is expanding thanks to the community
Lamèque, Friday, May 24, 2024 – Vitalité Health Network is inaugurating the expanded Family Medicine Unit at the Lamèque Hospital and Community Health Centre. This initiative, funded by donations from the community, marks the latest effort to improve the quality of health care in the region.
From left to right: Bernard Savoie, Mayor of Ile-de-Lamèque; Norma Aubut, Chair of the Board, La Fondation Hôpital et CSC de Lamèque; Dr. Dawn Marie Martin-Ward; Dr. France Desrosiers, President and CEO, Vitalité Health Network; and Hon. Réjean Savoie, Minister responsible for the Regional Development Corporation
The unit, which was built in 1998 and receives over 10,000 visits per year, required upgrading to meet the growing needs of the community.
Thanks to the generosity of donors, the Fondation Hôpital et CSC de Lamèque succeeded in raising the remarkable sum of $425,922 to make the facility’s expansion possible.
This expansion has doubled the number of examination rooms from five to ten. A new workstation has been added, making it possible to integrate an additional nurse into the existing multidisciplinary team, which will improve the team’s performance. And to enhance patient comfort, an automatic door and a shelter have been installed along with a new washroom.
Norma Aubut, Chair of the Foundation's Board of Directors, expressed how grateful she was to the community.
"This important campaign has been a very rewarding experience and has shown us just how much people care about the health care they receive here. We launched this major project in the fall of 2021 – at the height of the pandemic – with a target of $300,000. We're so proud of the community's positive response, which raised $425,922. Of this amount, $300,000 has been invested in the Family Medicine Unit project for the renovations and purchase of major equipment, and $65,000 has gone toward strengthening the bursary fund for staff development, which is an essential resource. Thank you once again to the entire community for believing in health care here at home first!”
Dr. Dawn Marie Martin-Ward, a long-time family physician at the Lamèque Hospital and Community Health Centre, underlined how important this achievement is.
"This new unit will enable us to provide the public with better health care and services in a considerably improved setting. Our physician team will work closely with nurses and other health professionals to keep our communities healthy and deliver the best possible care for our patients.”
For Dr. France Desrosiers, CEO of Vitalité Health Network, this project embodies community members’ heartfelt dedication to their health.
"I am deeply grateful to the Foundation for the work it does and to the community that has stood by its side. Your commitment and dedication to a project that will benefit our families, neighbours and fellow New Brunswickers makes us proud and inspires us. Well done and thank you!”
Chèque presentation from the Fondation Hôpital et CSC de Lamèque to Vitalité Health Network. From left to right: Hon. Réjean Savoie, Minister responsible for the Regional Development Corporation; Dr. France Desrosiers, President and CEO, Vitalité Health Network; Bernard Savoie, Mayor of Ile-de-Lamèque ; Norma Aubut, Chair of the Board, La Fondation Hôpital et CSC de Lamèque; and Dr. Dawn Marie Martin-Ward
