Kelowna Counts Down to Perinatal Unit Opening at KGH

The final floor of the Interior Heart and Surgical Centre (IHSC) is set to open on March 6^th.

Expecting moms will soon be giving birth to their babies in the brand new perinatal unit. The unit is located on the fourth floor of the IHSC and will replace the hospital’s current labour and delivery unit.

“This new unit will support new families by offering patient-centered care in a personalized, wrap-around setting,” said Terry Lake, Minister of Health.

“Importantly, the unit will offer private, quiet and enhanced care for new mothers and their babies and support families in this growing region at a very special time of their lives.”

There will be five private labour and delivery rooms, nine private and four semi-private postpartum rooms. On top of the delivery rooms, Kelowna will be home to a new neonatal intensive care unit, which has the room to support up to 20 babies.

Norm Letnick, MLA for Kelowna-Lake Country said this new space will be perfect for the 1,600 babies that are born every year at the Kelowna General Hospital.

“A modern neonatal intensive care unit with central monitoring, and areas for stabilizations, transition, and high needs babies will support parents whose newborns need a little extra help.”

Mothers who have scheduled Caesarian sections, or who are giving birth to multiple babies will be giving birth in a new operating room.

The new unit is part of the $381 million budget that was given for the IHSC. The Central Okanagan Regional Hospital District gave $18 million for the capital cost of the unit and the Kelowna General Hospital Foundation provided $3 million for the equipment and support funding.

Gail Given, Chair of Central Okanagan Regional Hospital District said it only made sense to go ahead and fully fund the construction of the unit.

“We know that the new unit is much needed and will be well used by growing families.”

Interior Health gave one expecting mother and her husband a tour of the new unit, in preparation of their first child arriving in the world.

“As first-time expectant parents, my husband and I were both thrilled upon touring the new perinatal unit at Kelowna General Hospital,” said Fiona Patterson, first-time expectant mom. “The energy of this new birth space is one that promotes relaxation and is really attuned to the news of the whole family. The natural light and aesthetics are so soothing, and we were impressed with the upgraded equipment; it’s comforting to know that maternity care in Kelowna is a priority.”

The first three floors of the IHSC opened in Kelowna on Friday, October 16^th, 2015.