The new mental health and substance use unit (MHSU) at Burnaby Hospital is still under construction with the first phase of its redevelopment expected to be complete by 2025.
If it stays on track, that will mark five years after a fire ripped through the facility, which held 30 beds and a clinic for patients being treated for substance use or mental illnesses.
On Monday, Oct. 23, a $100,000 donation from TD Bank Group was made to the Burnaby Hospital Foundation (BHF) for the new department in hopes of leaving a meaningful impact for future patients.
According to a release, the six-figure donation is "one of the largest" for the hospital's mental health services. As a result, the BHF also unveiled the naming of the TD Multi-sensory room.
"TD's significant donation towards the hospital's mental health services will have a noticeable impact on the therapies enabled by a new multi‐sensory room,” said BHF president and CEO Kristy James.
"The use of sensory intervention has been a growing practice, many times used in informal spaces. Our donors have enabled us to build the fourth such room in the region."
James added, last year, more than 1,000 patients needed Burnaby Hospital's MHSU services, calling it "a growing concern" for the community.
The first phase of the redevelopment, which started in 2022, held a price tag of $612 million. The total cost of the project is $1.4 billion with the primary funding coming from the province as well as the Burnaby Hospital Foundation.
The second phase is set to bring expanded medical services, including upgrades to the intensive care (ICU), medical imaging, cardiac telemetry and in-patient oncology units.
Burnaby Hospital's new campus, when finished, will also have 50 per cent more beds, two patient care towres and a cancer treatment centre.
The recently announced second phase brings expanded medical services to the hospital, including upgrades to the Intensive Care Unit and Medical Imaging, as well as new Cardiac Telemetry and In‐ patient Oncology Units.
When the entire redevelopment project is complete, the new campus of care will have almost 50% more beds, including two patient care towers and a cancer treatment centre.
You can visit the BHF's website for more information on the hospital's redevelopment.
- with files from Cornelia Naylor, Lauren Vanderdeen and Jess Balzer, Burnaby NOW
