Sea to Sky Corridor residents in need of surgery may not have to wait as long thanks to the opening of a second operating room at Squamish General Hospital.
Vancouver Coastal Health announced Tuesday it has opened a second operating room in an effort to reduce surgical wait times.
The second room will be open five days a week, according to a news release from the health authority.
Surgeons from Squamish and Lions Gate Hospital will utilize the room and six additional nurses will be added to accommodate the increase of approximately 576 additional surgeries, the release states.
The new operating room can accommodate orthopedic, urology, ear, nose and throat surgeries, as well as obstetrics, gynecology and plastic surgeries.
“Squamish General Hospital is a vital part of complete health care services in the region and this initiative is both important for future growth plans as well as reducing surgical wait times,” said Jordan Sturdy, MLA for West Vancouver-Sea to Sky, in the release. “Expanded Squamish operating room hours also builds on the recent announcement of 16 new surgical suites at Vancouver General Hospital, increasing timely access to surgery for the people of the Sea to Sky.”
