Minister Cameron Friesen speaks at the Manitoba Legislature in Winnipeg on Monday, March 12, 2018. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/David Lipnowski)
WINNIPEG — A new 28-bed stroke unit is planned at Health Sciences Centre to serve stroke patients from across Manitoba.
“Research shows an acute stroke unit can reduce the likelihood of death and disability by as much as 30 percent for men and women of any age with mild, moderate and severe strokes,” said Health Minister Cameron Friesen.
“This new, centralized unit will help prevent stroke complications, reduce patient length of stay and improve the availability of acute care beds for other patients across our health system.”
The province says approximately 2,000 Manitobans suffer a stroke each year. Manitoba is the only province without an acute stroke unit.
The 18,400-square-foot unit will be located in the current Women’s Pavilion at HSC. Construction will begin following the relocation of staff, equipment and programming currently in the Women’s Pavilion to the new HSC Women’s facility in December 2019.
The province says building upgrades will include heating, ventilation, lighting, asbestos removal, an upgraded nurse call system, new sprinklers and new elevators.
Friesen added the cost of the project will be subject to the tendering process.
