CHECK IN NEWS FROM AROUND THE PROVINCE
RICHMOND HOSPITAL
NEW TOWER FOR
SAFER CARE
N
URSES working at Richmond Hospital have been warning for years about the aging facility’s limitations, and they have been supporting the Richmond Hospital Foundation’s push for a new acute care tower that would better serve their community. So there was no shortage of relief when the provincial government announced recently that the replacement for the tower was moving ahead.
The existing tower was built in 1960. It has outdated and obsolete patient-care delivery areas, and assessments of the structure indicate it is at risk of widespread damage in the event of a major earthquake. RIVA region chair Sara Mattu was on hand for the March 29 announcement. She says the announcement couldn’t have come soon enough. “There are nursing stations that are too small for all health-care disciplines to work together, and
CELEBRATING DIVERSITY April 11 marked the International Day of Pink – a day where communities around the world come together to “celebrate diversity and raise awareness to stop homophobia, transphobia, transmisogyny and all forms of bullying.” BCNU leadership and staff at the union office took the opportunity to celebrate the day and acknowledge these important values that the union shares.
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JULY/AUGUST 2018 • UPDATE MAGAZINE
IT’S OFFICIAL BCNU members were on hand for the government’s announcement of a new acute care tower at Richmond Hospital on March 29. From left: Richmond Hospital’s head of medical imaging Dr. Ian Wong, BCNU RIVA region OH&S rep Michael Young, Health Minister Adrian Dix and BCNU RIVA region chair Sara Mattu.
this results in back-ups as health-care providers wait for access to computers and patient charts. “A new acute care tower will help nurses avoid delays in patient care delivery and the risks of daily occupational health and safety
concerns,” says Mattu. The announcement confirmed the approval of the concept plan. The business-plan phase, which considers scope of the new facility and budget, is expected to take 12 to 18 months. •
WELCOMING NEW NURSES A group of graduating LPN students from Vancouver Community College visited the BCNU office on May 22 as part of the union’s student outreach program. BCNU Simon Fraser region communications secretary was on hand to tell the group about the Nurses’ Bargaining Association collective agreement, basic workplace rights, how to locate their stewards, the role of BCNU equity caucuses and other aspects of union membership. From left: Kayla Chambers, Irish Agdinaoay, Yalda Cahaus, Michelle Pasasodoba, Tristan Newby, Mel Andrew Delos Reyes and Eddie May Sumagui.