HSC unveils new stroke-treatment unit in former women’s hospital

By: Danielle Da Silva Posted: 1:21 PM CST Friday, Dec. 15, 2023

A new, dedicated stroke recovery unit will accept its first patients Monday.

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A new, dedicated stroke recovery unit will accept its first patients Monday.

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This article was published 15/12/2023 (1021 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A new, dedicated stroke recovery unit will accept its first patients Monday.

The province’s first acute stroke unit is located on the fifth floor of the former women’s pavilion at the Health Sciences Centre.

Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara, HSC chief operating officer Dr. Shawn Young, unit manager Treena Bilous, stroke neurologist Dr. Esseddeeg Ghrooda and others took a tour of the new unit with reporters Friday morning.

A new acute stroke unit at the Health Sciences Centre will accept its first patients on Monday. The unit has 23 rooms that are equipped with lifts and easy access washrooms for patients during their recovery. (Danielle Da Silva / Winnipeg Free Press)

“It’s exciting to get to see what Manitobans are going to be able to experience after navigating a health situation that for many families is very scary and the outcomes can be varied,” Asagwara said.

“Manitobans are going to be able to access a world-class facility right here in our own province led by some pretty incredible people who have worked very hard to get to this day.”

People who are admitted to hospital for a stroke typically spend one week to 10 days on an acute-care ward before being discharged to community with support or to another in-patient setting.

Prior to the opening of the stroke unit, patients were often spread out through HSC with access to two of three standard treatments, including clot-busting and clot-removal therapies.

The new unit consolidates stroke recovery programming in one location to provide intensive rehabilitation care seven days a week.

Patients will also benefit from rooms that have been outfitted to meet their specific needs and the unit’s close location to interventional angiography facilities and equipment.

Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara (centre) tours the new acute stroke unit at Health Sciences Centre with unit manager Treena Bilous (left) on Friday. (Danielle Da Silva / Winnipeg Free Press)

Ghrooda said the unit is equipped with the most modern and updated equipment and features.

“The new acute stroke unit at HSC will provide patients with care from stroke neurologists, physiatrists (physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians), nurses and rehabilitation specialists that will provide the full range of therapies for stroke patients to prevent further health complications, reduce the chances of a second stroke occurring and maximizing their recovery,” Ghrooda said.

The freshly renovated 18,400-square-foot unit includes 28 in-patient beds, a communal dining room, occupational-therapy kitchen, a gym space for physiotherapy and assessment and treatment areas.

It will initially open with 12 beds, with more to open as additional nursing and allied health staff are hired over the next three to four months.

“We’ve seen a lot of uptake and excitement for the next phase,” Bilous said.