VJH Foundation Fundraiser For Surgical Improvements-Update

Aug 10, 2018 | 12:02 PM

The Vernon Jubilee Hospital Foundation’s new campaign has a lofty goal.

It’s aiming to raise 3.6 million dollars over 18 months to improve the surgical capacity at the hospital.

Executive Director Lisa Westermark says the hospital has reached the tipping point when it comes to operating room space.

“So it’s an opportunity to just be able to affect the wait times really. You know a lot of people are waiting a year and more for elective procedures.”

It’s hoped an added operating room will bring that wait time down to 26 weeks for such procedures and hip and knee surgeries.

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The foundation also wants to buy a urology table equipped with real time imaging and 6 new anaesthesia machines.

“What we’re doing is replacing the whole fleet so when the anaesthesiologist goes from room to room he’s using exactly the same equipment in each room so there’s no opportunities for error, you know this machine works a little differently than that machine.”

Westermark says these machines have an extra feature that will record information about the cases which will allow for greater efficiencies down the road.

The urology table with state-of-the-art fluoroscopy will allow surgeons to see inside the patient without having to make an incision.

The campaign includes donations, the annual charity golf classic which will be held at Predator Ridge August 26th and a raffle with tickets selling for 20 dollars each.

Tickets are only available for another 15 days.

“We have two local businesses involved, Skevik Skis are custom-made skis. They’re kind of special so that’s really fun and Enderby Jewellers is a landmark in Enderby.”

It has put up a one thousand dollar gift certificate.

The grand prize is two round trip tickets anywhere Westjet flies.

It’s the first time the Foundation has done a raffle online.

They can also be purchased by calling the Foundation at 250-558-1362

Tickets are available by phone or online at vjhfoundation.org.

You can click here for more information.

The Vernon Jubilee Hospital Foundation’s new campaign to increase surgical capacity is underway.

The growing and aging population in the North Okanagan have increased the demand for surgery.

Last year, VJH surgeons performed 8,047 procedures.

The Foundation aims at raising enough funds to open an additional operating room, purchase a fleet of anaesthesia machines and a urology table equipped with real time imaging.

Adding an operating room is expected to reduce wait times to 26 weeks for hip and knee replacements and relieve the pressure for all procedures.

The campaign includes the 9th annual VJH Foundation Charity Classic golf tournament August 26th at Predator Ridge and a raffle draw with prizes that include round trip tickets for two to anywhere Westjet flies.

Other prizes are a pair of Skeviks skis from a locally owned and operated Vernon company and a $1,000 gift certificate to Enderby Jewelers.

Tickets can be bought online at www.vjhfoundation.org or by calling the foundation at 250-558-1362.

The foundation also accepts donations anytime of year online, by phone, or in-person.

by Tom Mark