The generous bequest of well-known Mervin resident Fay Tomlinson was formally recognized May 11 at the Turtleford health facility to which she directed the dollars be used.
Prairie North Health Region officials joined patients, residents and staff of Riverside Health Complex in Turtleford to honour the late Tomlinson and display the equipment purchased to enhance patient and resident care and improve patient, resident and staff safety.
“We are tremendously grateful to Mrs. Tomlinson for the estate gift of over $629,000 to be spent exclusively at the hospital in her neighbouring community of Turtleford,” said Vikki Smart, Prairie North Vice-President of Primary Health Services, with responsibility for Riverside Health Complex. “While I didn’t know Mrs. Tomlinson, I understand she was a very kind, gentle, and community-minded individual who cared deeply for her friends, neighbours, and residents of Mervin, Turtleford and area,” added Smart.
“We trust Mrs. Tomlinson would be pleased with the items we chose to purchase in the past fiscal year from the funds she bequeathed. All of the purchases were made with the focus on patient and resident care, and improving safety for patients, residents and staff,” Smart stated.
In 2016-17, approximately $438,000 was spent on:
• Replacement of 11 beds for long-term care residents and acute care patients
• Purchase and installation of ceiling lifts and tracking in patient/resident rooms
• Replacement of the nurse call system for the entire facility
• Replacement of the dish machine and delivery carts for the food services department
• Replacement of one blanket warmer for long-term care residents
• Replacement of the chemistry analyzer and purchase of a blood gas machine for laboratory services
• Purchase of a new vital signs monitor for the Primary Health Care/Medical Clinic
• Additional improvements to the resident/patient courtyard
The items and work chosen were based on PNHR’s 2016-17 capital planning process that included identification of priority equipment and facility needs identified with input from local staff and Prairie North managers for Riverside Health Complex departments.
Further purchases of necessary equipment through the remaining bequest funds are being considered through the same process.
