Auxiliary brings added comfort for moms and families

Grande Prairie Regional Hospital receives new sleeper couches, overbed tables for obstetrics

Story by Amelia Schofield

GRANDE PRAIRIE — Staying in the Labour and Delivery unit of the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital (GPRH) has become more comfortable for patients and their loved ones thanks to the Grande Prairie Hospitals’ Auxiliary Association.

Thanks to the Auxiliary’s generous contribution of $48,900, Labour and Delivery has received seven new sleeper couches and eleven overbed tables for patient rooms. The sleeper couches will provide visiting support people with improved comfort during their stay with new moms, while the overbed tables will give the moms a convenient, accessible surface for meal trays and personal items.

Penny Kelln, Unit Manager for Women’s Health, highlights the benefits of the new sleeper couches.

“The new sleeper couches have replaced several of our previous sleeper pull-out chairs and provide a much more comfortable experience for support people who are staying with new moms. This new furniture will allow them to get more rest and provide the support needed for new moms and their babies.”

“Additions like this make their stay more enjoyable,” adds Wanda Johnson, President of the Grande Prairie Hospitals’ Auxiliary Association. “The beds are not only esthetically pleasing but provide new parents with a comfortable place to get rest and won’t cause them stress during their stay.”

Established in 1922, the auxiliary has fundraised for local healthcare for more than 100 years. Over the years, they’ve raised nearly $3 million in a variety of ways, including two gift shops at the hospital and QEII Ambulatory Care Centre, casino fundraisers, and community donations from community boosters such as Co-op and Rotary Clubs.

“I would like to say ‘thank you’ to the Grande Prairie Hospitals’ Auxiliary Association for their generous contribution,” says Kelln. “It has really made a big impact for our patients and support people.”

“We truly appreciate everything the Auxiliary does for our hospital,” adds Candice Edey, Senior Operating Officer, GPRH and Area 9 Grande Prairie & Area. “We’re fortunate to have such a committed group of volunteers helping to support the comfort of our patients and their families.”

To support the Grande Prairie Hospitals’ Auxiliary Association, individuals can shop at the Auxiliary’s gift shops at the GPRH and the Queen Elizabeth II Ambulatory Care Centre, and donate to the Pay-It-Forward change boxes (100 per cent of all donations are used to support the GPRH, the QEII Ambulatory Care Centre and Mackenzie Place Continuing Care Centre).

People can also choose to donate their bottle proceeds at any of the bottle depots in Grande Prairie by marking their bags with the number “2355” and placing them in the donation bins.

For more information on the auxiliary, contact Wanda Johnson at wandaloujohn@gmail.com.