The province unveiled a new intensive care unit on Friday for the Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital in Fredericton.
A release says the new ICU is scheduled to admit its first patients on Feb. 14.
Health Minister Bruce Fitch said the construction of the new unit is an important development in the delivery of critical health care for patients.
“Making improvements to provide the dependable public health care that New Brunswickers deserve is one of our government’s priorities,” he said.
“Investing in infrastructure and increasing capacity in our hospitals across the province will provide new, modern facilities to help alleviate pressure on our system.”
Officials say the project will increase ICU capacity from eight beds to 12 and represents an investment of about $21.75 million.
It’s part of a $250 million project at the hospital to improve maternal and newborn care, surgical care and day surgery, all of which is expected to be completed by March 2024.
The province says further projects for ambulatory procedures, phlebotomy and health records services are expected to be complete by 2028.
Margaret Melanson, interim president and CEO of the Horizon Health Network, said staff are making improvements to better patient care in order to retain and attract health care workers.
“That is why we are pleased to announce the opening of our intensive care unit in Fredericton, which is one of many milestones to come,” she said.
“This new space is impressive and will greatly improve the experience for our patients, clients and staff.”
Officials say the new ICU also includes quiet spaces for families while their loved ones are in critical care. Each patient care room is private with its own bathroom and window.
Dr. Zeeshan Aslam, Horizon’s department head of intensive care for the Fredericton area, said it’s a major development that allows the Chalmers hospital to become a “state-of-the-art facility.”
“The new unit was developed … to provide complex, critical care in a healthy environment with the incorporation of the best modern technology,” he said.