Hospital emergency departments were originally designed for just that: treating urgent medical needs that require immediate attention. If a lengthier stay was necessary, patients were sent upstairs to one of the wards where longer-term care and comfort could be provided.
But with overcrowding becoming increasingly common in ERs around the province (and all across Canada), many patients find themselves spending days—and nights—in hallway beds located in one of the busiest, brightest and noisiest areas of a hospital.

None of this escaped the attention of Peace Arch Hospital ER Physician Dr. Amir Behboudi. Noticing a hallway patient struggling to sleep in this 24/7 hub of activity, Dr. Behboudi was inspired to research and implement low-cost solutions that address the main impediments to a patient getting much-needed sleep in a busy hospital corridor: namely, noise, lack of warmth, and bright lighting.

In this episode of Power to Heal, the story of how one Peace Arch doctor’s compassion and ingenuity is resulting in more comfort and faster healing for patients in what is often a stressful environment.

For more information or to make a donation, visit Peace Arch Hospital Foundation at pahfoundation.ca

About Power to Heal
Hosted by former Peace Arch News editor Lance Peverley, the Power to Heal podcast takes listeners behind the scenes with the Peace Arch Hospital Foundation as this innovative fund-raising organization develops partnerships with donors, medical staff and community groups to help foster better health and wellness in the community of South Surrey/White Rock BC.

#podcast #hospital

The model for Foundry youth centres is based on “coming together, listening and learning.” This is more than just a slogan: It’s what they actually do.

Created to remove barriers to quality care for youth ages 12-24 in British Columbia, Foundry centres bring together integrated health, wellness and social services for young people in one location. At a time when one in four Canadian youth are affected by mental health or substance use challenges, being able to open one door to access a range of support services can make all the difference.

But Foundry centres also feature another unique aspect: opportunities for young people to share their ideas and feedback on how these wellness hubs can better serve their peers and provide preventative support for mental health or substance use—issues that, left unchecked, can result in future visits to already over-crowded emergency departments.

In part two of our compelling exploration of Foundry and the integrated health and wellness services it provides, you’ll met Ruby and Oscean, two articulate post-secondary students who are volunteering to help shape the new youth centre coming to South Surrey/White Rock. Both speak candidly about their own lived experiences with mental health, and the challenges facing their friends and others from their age group.

Also joining the conversation is George Passmore, Executive Director with Sources BC, a non-profit, community-based provider of social wellness programs and services and, with support from the Peace Arch Hospital Foundation, the lead organization behind the new Foundry centre.

Links:

Foundry BC foundrybc.ca | Sources BC sourcesbc.ca

For more information or to make a donation, visit Peace Arch Hospital Foundation at pahfoundation.ca

About Power to Heal

Hosted by former Peace Arch News editor Lance Peverley, the Power to Heal podcast takes listeners behind the scenes with the Peace Arch Hospital Foundation as this innovative fund-raising organization develops partnerships with donors, medical staff and community groups to help foster better health and wellness in the community of South Surrey/White Rock BC.

#podcast

Power to Heal Season 5

An integral part of hundreds of thousands of communities worldwide are their hospitals. The engine that drives those institutions are their foundations, without which, the wheels of progress would turn very slowly. This series uncovers the ways the Peace Arch Hospital Foundation in White Rock, British Columbia connects with the community to stay ahead of health issues, challenge the norm and foster a spirit of innovation.

#podcast