Official opening of Oncology Clinic at Enfant-Jésus RHSJ† Hospital
Caraquet, May 31, 2023 – Vitalité Health Network, in partnership with the Fondation Hôpital de l’Enfant-Jésus, officially inaugurated this renovated space yesterday with an array of guests and dignitaries in attendance.
Bernard Thériault, Mayor of Caraquet, the Honourable Bruce Fitch, Minister of Health, Dr. France Desrosiers, President and CEO of Vitalité Health Network, Christina Mallet, President of the Fondation de l'Hôpital de l'Enfant-Jésus RHSJ†, Joseph Lanteigne, Campaign Co-Chair, Rosemonde Albert, former oncology patient, Martial LeClair, resource nurse and clinical coordinator, and Judy Butler, regional health center manager and facility representative for the Enfant-Jésus Hospital RHSJ†, took part in the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The work – valued at a total of approximately $1,962,000 – involved renovating and upgrading the Oncology Department through funding received from the Fondation Hôpital de l’Enfant-Jésus ($684,715 raised through the campaign and an additional $225,000 for the acquisition of the ABUS ultrasound system) and Vitalité Health Network ($1,052,285). The project was designed to improve the physical environment in order to meet applicable standards and deliver safer and more effective care. The renovations have increased patients’ comfort and made it easier for staff to do their work.
Rosemonde Albert, a former patient of the oncology department, shared her story during the inauguration.
The new unit features oxygen systems and new treatment technologies. The seven treatment chairs, now grouped together, are used more efficiently for all treatments. In addition to the seven treatment stations, the Oncology Clinic has two new examination rooms, a waiting room and two offices for the unit’s physicians and manager. Services are more accessible, safer and easier to manage.
“Thanks to our donors’ generosity, cancer patients can continue receiving high-quality treatment in our region. This avoids having to travel outside the region and allows them to recover in the comfort of their own homes. We are very pleased to be able to hold the public unveiling of this project, which was completed in February 2021. The first patients began receiving their treatments in the new facility in March 2021,” stated Christina Mallet, Chair of the Fondation Hôpital de l’Enfant-Jésus.
Vitalité Health Network was equally positive about the renovated space. “Since a patient’s well-being and the efficiency of their treatments go hand-in-hand, the comfort that a setting offers is always the starting point for healing. In addition to its cutting-edge technology, the new unit also offers patients a view of the ocean, which they undoubtedly find calming,” explained Dr. France Desrosiers, President and CEO of Vitalité Health Network.
The Oncology Department of the Enfant-Jésus RHSJ† Hospital in Caraquet has been serving the residents of the Acadian Peninsula since 2006. On average, 2,300 visits take place there each year – for supportive treatments, chemotherapy treatments and medical visits. The over 1,000 treatments administered there each year represent nearly half of the oncology treatments administered within the Acadie-Bathurst region.
Pictured are Bernard Thériault, Mayor of Caraquet, the Honourable Bruce Fitch, Minister of Health, Dr. France Desrosiers, President and CEO of Vitalité Health Network, Christina Mallet, President of the Fondation de l'Hôpital de l'Enfant-Jésus RHSJ†, Joseph Lanteigne, campaign co-chair, Rosemonde Albert, former oncology patient, Martial LeClair, resource nurse and clinical coordinator, and Judy Butler, regional health center manager and facility representative at Hôpital de l'Enfant-Jésus RHSJ†.
