Hospital's new sprinkler system should be completed on time

Brandon Regional Health Centres new sprinkler system installation is now back on track and should be completed by mid-September, according to a staff member.

Were very pleased with the way its going, all of our timelines are still right on cue so actually its almost a non-event, said Brian Schoonbaert, chief operating officer at BRHC and vice-president of finance, capital and support services with Prairie Mountain Health.

Obviously the beds have been tight during this time because as we said the number of beds could drop by as many as 17 at any one time. Theres been a few folks that weve transported to neighbouring communities, but thats gone well when we had to.

Less than five patients have been moved to rural hospitals, including the Souris hospital, and the installation was scheduled to take place during a typically slower time for the BRHC, he said.

In the summer, our numbers are a little bit lower, so thats why weve done it.

The sprinkler installation is necessary to bring the facility up to current fire protection standards and sprinklers are being installed to the inpatient areas on floors two to five.

Despite crew members going on strike during the initial phase of the project, they were able to make up the lost time and are now back on schedule.

They actually started for a day or two I think and then went on strike and so it put us behind a week, but theyve been able to catch up.

The hospital is also looking into increasing their number of beds, which could come as soon as this fall with more to follow sometime next year.

Hopefully that will alleviate some of our issues about always being on the full side.

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Hospital's new sprinkler system should be completed on time