To help members from the Richmond Chinese-Canadian community to better understand the local healthcare system, the Richmond Hospital Foundation hosted an online conference to explain what role the hospital plays in times of crisis.
The virtual conference, hosted in Mandarin, was the idea of the Chinese Community Philanthropy Committee, which is made up of five ambassadors who were appointed by the foundation in mid-July to help immigrants get involved in healthcare.
“Each healthcare provider worked at least 15 to 16 hours every day and we didn’t have weekends. This situation lasted for at least two and a half months,” Jane Sun, director of Strategy Deployment and Clinical Optimization at the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority in Richmond, told the conference.
She told how a series of safety guidelines and facility changes were implemented in Richmond Hospital, including opening two separate entrances for staff and patients and installing testing centres for healthcare workers to prevent further spread of the virus.
Family members who have been pre-approved to accompany or visit patients, they still need to go through a strict screening process with a nurse at the hospital entrance, added Sun.
“Hospitals have implemented safety measures for patients. Everyone is required to wear masks and sanitize their hands as soon as they arrive at the hospital. If you don’t have a mask, we will give one to you. If you feel poorly, you should come to the hospital to seek medical treatment,” said Sun.
“We are always preparing for the second wave.”
The new nine-floor acute care tower at Richmond Hospital, which is expected to be built by 2024, was also brought up by people at the meeting, with a few questioning how they will benefit from the new tower.
Sun replied that the new tower will reduce wait times for patients and more medical equipment could be placed there.
