CKHA adds two new permanent critical care beds

Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (File Photo)

The Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA) has opened two new permanent critical care beds in its Intensive Care Unit (ICU). It said this addition will help more patients get critical care closer to home.

“This enhancement to the ICU marks a milestone for critical care services at CKHA,” said Dr. Brent Herritt, Intensivist and Head of the ICU with CKHA.

“The expansion of the unit will not only enhance our ability to provide specialized lifesaving care but also ensures patients can receive treatment locally. The extra beds will lessen the need to transfer certain patients to larger centres, enabling more people in the community to access specialized care.”

Funding was given to CKHA from the Ontario budget in 2023 to expand its beds by two. The beds opened temporarily as renovations took place, but now work is finished, and the beds are in their permanent private rooms.

“We are pleased to open these additional beds in modern and refreshed rooms within our ICU,” said Caen Suni, vice president of clinical programs and operations.

“The expansion of critical care beds within the ICU not only enhances CKHA’s service delivery, but it also allows our team to look at expanding care models within the unit. This is a longer-term vision for our organization as we continue to look at how we can offer more types of care to our community.”

In addition to the 12 beds in the ICU, the Progressive Care Unit also has 12 beds, totalling 24 for CKHA critical care services.