By Don Urquhart, Times Chronicle
Residents of the South Okanagan now have significantly improved access to cancer care with the official opening of the new oncology clinic at the Penticton Regional Hospital (PRH) on Thursday (June 19).
The $22 million Community Oncology Network clinic triples the size of the current aging and cramped facility and increases the number of beds from 8 to 17, with the new clinic taking in its first patients on Monday, June 23.
The enlarged clinic will help reduce wait times, provide greater privacy for patients and meet the increasing demand for cancer care. It also offers modern equipment, more comfortable and accessible facilities, and a better working environment for staff.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Martin Johansen, Mayor of Oliver and Chair of the Okanagan Regional Hospital District noted the importance of the new clinic to smaller communities in the South Okanagan and Similkameen.
“These services will play a critical role in helping meet the health care needs of our community, and most importantly, allow residents to access the care they need closer to home.”
The oncology unit expansion will provide people living in the South Okanagan and Similkameen with “faster, more accessible cancer care,” he said, adding that “it’s going to make a big difference in a lot of people’s lives.”
“When we are able to come together and open more supports to those in need – when it comes to medical issues – it’s a great thing, it’s so important,” said Greg Gabriel, Chief of the Penticton Indian Band.
Greg Gabriel, Chief of the Penticton Indian Band with his daughter Leslie.
Don Urquhart photo
Gabriel said he hopes “it will bring a lot of comfort and good medicine to those that will come through these doors. I applaud the work that you all do.”
Gabriel added a personal note, saying he had stood beside someone that is “very dear to me, that knows very well what oncology units are all about.
“That’s my daughter Leslie, ” he said adding that she’s been through cancer treatments. “I recognize her as a very strong and powerful woman, and she’s also a member of our council,” he said before inviting her to stand beside him at the podium.
Gabriel’s sister, and elder, Margaret Babtiste offered a blessing for the new facility and earlier PIB member Dale Marchand conducted a smudge ceremony for purification and spiritual cleansing of the facility.
The new oncology clinic on the third floor of the David E. Kampe Tower at Penticton Regional Hospital.
Interior Health photo
The oncology staff and physicians at Penticton Regional Hospital provide cancer care to more than 8,000 people each year, noted Diane Shendruk, Vice President of Clinical Operations of Interior Health.
“We know this region has grown and will continue to grow and Interior Health is committed to growing with it. This newly expanded oncology unit will meet the increasing demand for cancer services in the South Okanagan-Similkameen, for years to come,” she said.
Planning for the facility took into account the aging demographics of the South Okanagan and rising cancer cases among other factors, with a “future proofing” of the facility to 20 years, Shana Lindsay, Clinical Operations Manager for Penticton Oncology told the Times Chronicle on the sidelines of the event.
She added that there are various things that can be done should capacity become tight down the road, for example, expanding hours of service. There is also the potential for new forms of treatment that could impact demand, she added.
When asked if the facility ticked all the boxes of what the specialist staff desired for the new patient-centred facility, Lindsay said, “I would say that everything on our wish list was met.
“One of the biggest things that we wanted was allied health representation because our current spot we didn’t have the space for a social worker to be there or a dietitian to be there. Now we actually have them in their own spaces up here right with the team so we’ll have more of a patient-centred, team-based care,” she said.
“Every element is focused on helping patients feel supported through one of the most challenging times in their lives, every step of the way,” Shendruk said.
MLA Harwinder Sandhu (Vernon-Lumby).
Don Urquhart photo
New features include ceiling lifts to assist patients with mobility challenges, droplet precaution rooms to ensure the highest standards of infection control and expanded training opportunities for staff. The patient-centred care also extends to a “wig station” consisting of a glass-doored cabinet of wigs, large mirror and prep area for those patients who lose their hair.
“Dignity is important when patients and their families are going through a traumatic time in their lives, but now they can do it in an area everyone deserves,” said Barb George, a recent patient and a volunteer at the hospital.
“The new area will make it better for all the oncology staff members to complete the various treatments required for each individual in a more spacious and updated area, while they are helping people through their healing process.”
MLA Harwinder Sandhu (Vernon-Lumby) noted that the new cancer clinic addresses “the long standing need of our community, as well as the region,” and demonstrates the value of partnerships.
“It is a perfect shining example of what we can achieve when government partners, health authorities, local partners and community donors, all coming together with a shared purpose. And that purpose is making our communities better and helping to strengthen the vital services like this one, to support people delivering better care, closer to home when people need it,” Sandhu said.
Ian Lindsay, Chief Executive Officer of the South Okanagan Similkameen Medical Foundation expressed his gratitude for the widespread support that helped raise $10 million of the total cost. “Everyone was supportive . . . they all came together to see this vision and what’s amazing is this $10 million we raised, it was by the community,” he said.
“And so for that, I would like to thank the community and everyone who has supported to make this dream a reality.”
Ian Lindsay, Chief Executive Officer of the South Okanagan Similkameen Medical Foundation.
Don Urquhart photo
The $22-million expansion project was cost-shared between the B.C. government, Interior Health, the Okanagan-Similkameen Regional Hospital District and the South Okanagan Similkameen Medical Foundation.
The expanded Penticton Regional Hospital Community Oncology clinic is a part of the Province’s 10-Year Cancer Action Plan, which sets out immediate steps to improve cancer prevention, detection and treatment. The plan aims to deliver better care for people facing cancer, while building capacity to meet the growing needs of the future.
