Prairie Mountain Health Successfully Recruits Nurses for New ICU

Prairie Mountain Health (PMH) is making significant strides in staffing the new critical care centre at the Brandon hospital. The health authority has successfully recruited nurses for approximately 30 positions in the internal medicine unit, which has attracted interest from both local staff and nurses from outside the province. CEO Treena Slate confirmed that candidates have been recruited from regions as far as Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Saskatchewan.

The critical care centre is slated to open early in 2024, with plans to initially activate ten of the sixteen intensive care unit (ICU) beds and half of the thirty-bed internal medicine unit. “We are having good success in filling a lot of those positions. So, that’s really good,” said Slate, highlighting the positive response to the recruitment efforts.

Facility Features and Staffing Plans

The new facility will begin operations with a 15-bed internal medicine unit, focusing on specialized care for patients with medical conditions. The existing 10-bed ICU from the Brandon Regional Health Centre will be relocated to the new centre, which will eventually expand to accommodate a full complement of 16 beds once current vacancies are filled.

Slate explained that the phased approach to hiring and opening is aimed at ensuring that each bed is adequately staffed and supported. “I think with a staggered approach, we will be successful in hiring all the positions that are required to open the planned starting bed occupancy in our new facility,” she stated.

To familiarize staff with the new environment, PMH has organized tours of the building, allowing potential hires to interact with current ICU nurses, ask questions, and provide feedback on the placement of equipment and workflow expectations.

Community Engagement and Future Staffing Needs

Prairie Mountain Health maintains strong connections with nursing students at Brandon University and Assiniboine College, positioning these programs as a pathway for future employment within the health authority. While there are currently no additional recruitment efforts for physicians, Slate indicated that existing ICU and internal medicine doctors will transition to the new facility.

In the future, PMH anticipates the need to expand its physician resources to meet growing demands. “There will be a need to add more physician resource and support, but at this current time, there is not,” Slate noted.

The new critical care centre is being described as a “state-of-the-art environment” for patient care, featuring bright, single-room occupancy with ceiling track lifts to assist patients. It will serve as the sole ICU facility between Winnipeg and Regina, ensuring that residents of western Manitoba have access to essential life-saving services.

According to Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara, the phased opening strategy is designed to guarantee that every bed comes online with appropriate staffing and clinical resources. “Our government is thrilled that expanded services are coming to the region,” Asagwara stated.

The Manitoba government, since taking office in October 2023, has successfully recruited over 1,100 new nurses across the province, with 51 health care workers added to the Brandon Regional Health Centre specifically.

As part of the cultural integration of the new facility, Indigenous elder Deborah Tacan performed a blessing ceremony, which was significant for the staff and emphasized the commitment to providing culturally safe care. The Brandon Regional Health Centre will also continue its support for Indigenous patients through the addition of an Indigenous health patient advocate and a spiritual care worker.

With construction nearing completion, orientation and training for staff will soon commence as the facility prepares to welcome its first patients.