Royal Columbian Hospital is getting helping hands from all around the community.
The Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation has alerted us to several recent sizable donations from community groups and businesses.
Among them:. TELUS presented the foundation with a cheque for $5,000 to help the hospital in its work caring for seriously ill and injured patients from across B.C.. McQuarrie Hunter LLP Barristers and Solicitors presented the foundation with a cheque for $10,000. McQuarrie Hunter was a sponsor of the foundation's SHINE gala, and partner Wade Winkler was its co-chair. The gala raised $280,000 for the work of the foundation.. Kruger Products presented the foundation with a cheque for $5,000 to fund urgently needed life-saving equipment.
The Elks Club of New Westminster presented a cheque for $6,500, money that will go towards a new incubator for the hospital's neonatal intensive care unit.
For more about these and other worthy donations in the community, check out our Kudos photo gallery online at www.roy alcityrecord.com.
For more about the Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation, see www.rch foundation.com.
New toll number Fraser Health is making it easier to access healthrelated services in the community.
The health authority has launched a new tollfree home health service line.
Anyone who's looking for information about services for themselves or family members can call the line, 1-855-412-2121, seven days a week from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Staff will provide service in multiple languages.
A Fraser Health press release notes that the service is perfect for people who are asking questions such as "Who will help Dad with his personal care when I'm at work?" or "I no longer think I can live at home alone. I need some help, but what is available?" Staff members on the home health service line can help identify what people need, refer them to services and arrange for a visit at a clinic or at home.
Home health services covers the spectrum of help, such as home support (for bathing, grooming, toileting, feeding), in-home health care, nursing clinics, seniors' day programs and respite for caregivers.
"Customer service is the number 1 goal of our new service line, and we have created new processes to improve the quality of our service and to make it easier for the public to access the services they need," said Carl Meadows, director of clinic programs for home health, in the release.
Trial on for C. difficile vaccine Royal Columbian Hospital will be part of a clinical trial testing the effectiveness of a vaccine against the C. difficile bacterium.
Each year, Clostridium difficile is a contributing factor in the deaths of more than 2,000
Canadians, according to a Fraser Health press release.
Fraser Health will be part of the first full clinical trials of a new vaccine at both Royal Columbian and Surrey Memorial hospitals.
The vaccine attacks the toxins that damage the bowel, and the release says early data indicates the vaccine may help the body fight off the bacterial infection - even for elderly patients.
People who are expected to be in hospital over the next 60 days and who are scheduled for special types of surgery will be contacted to participate in the trial.
People who have been in hospital at least twice over the last 12 months and who have taken antibiotics will also be recruited for the trial.
The clinical trial will begin towards the end of August and continue for 30 months.
For more about the trial, or to participate, call 1-855-587-7889 or see www.Cdiffense.org.
Do you have an item of health-related interest? Send health-related ideas and story tips to Julie, jmaclellan@roy alcityrecord.com.
