Fairview to get $2.3M behavioural unit

It’s full steam ahead for Prairie Mountain Health as it prepares to start building a new $2.3-million, 12-bed behavioural unit in Brandon’s Fairview Personal Care Home. Read this article for free: Already have an account? As we navigate through unprecedented times, our journalists are working harder than ever to bring you the latest local updates to keep you safe and informed.

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99 a X percent off the regular rate. It’s full steam ahead for Prairie Mountain Health as it prepares to start building a new $2.3-million, 12-bed behavioural unit in Brandon’s Fairview Personal Care Home.

Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? It’s full steam ahead for Prairie Mountain Health as it prepares to start building a new $2.3-million, 12-bed behavioural unit in Brandon’s Fairview Personal Care Home. In a Tuesday memo to staff and leadership obtained by the Sun, PMH said it was pleased to inform people about the new care unit.

“The first floor of the north tower will undergo a renovation to create a self-contained 12-bed special needs unit,” the memo said. “The unit will be designed to be a calm, peaceful environment, staffed with health-care aides, nurses and activity workers.” The Fairview Personal Care Home in Brandon will house a 12-bed behavioural care and support unit, the first of its kind in western Manitoba.

(Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun files) Construction will begin in May, with the first residents expected to move into the new unit in 2026. In July 2023, the Sun reported that PMH had launched a request for proposals to build the new unit. At that time, documents revealed a construction budget of $1.

6 million. Brandon’s Ben Wiebe Construction Ltd. was awarded the contract, with the estimated total cost now at $2.

3 million, according to a PMH spokesperson on Wednesday. “Prairie Mountain Health is very pleased to have received support from Manitoba Health, Seniors and Long Term Care to proceed with the renovation and supportive care project,” the spokesperson said, but was not able to say how much funding came from the provincial government. Fairview has 248 long-term beds in its two separate towers.

The new unit will be built on the main floor of the second tower, which was built in 1967. That unit has 22 beds, but the renovations will reduce the number by 10. Seniors who are within a facility’s behavioural-care and support unit include those with dementia and challenging behaviours, such as agitation and aggression.

Back in 2023, the PMH spokesperson told the Sun that Fairview’s unit will be the first of its kind in western Manitoba. Plans for each resident’s room include a ceiling lift with the capacity to accommodate a bariatric resident, which is a person who has a body weight of 113 kilograms (250 pounds) or higher. Additionally, the rooms will have a designated washroom that will meet infection, prevention and control practices, as well as a tub and shower room.

There will also be a quiet room and dedicated dining and activity rooms, along with a secure outdoor courtyard space. In the 2023 RFP, the requirements for the nursing station listed half doors with plexiglass on top for sight lines and security, as well as a secure medication room. A new staff room will be able to accommodate shift report, team and client conferences and medication review.

On Wednesday, the PMH spokesperson pointed out that additional supports will be available in the new unit to assist residents who have “higher support needs due to significant or ongoing behaviours impacting the safety and care environment.” According to the memo posted for staff and leadership, the unit can be temporary for the residents who can “move to a general PCH or another specialized care unit when they no longer require these additional supports.” A planning team has been created to prepare for the new unit at Fairview, the memo stated.

“We will be engaging with staff to determine a name for it in the coming months.” » [email protected] » enviromichele.

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