Cataract surgery now to be offered at Grand Falls General Hospital

Grand Falls, Monday, October 26, 2020 – Vitalité Health Network is pleased to announce that cataract surgery will be offered at Ambulatory Care of the Grand Falls General Hospital starting October 27, 2020.

This surgery has been offered at the Surgical Suite of the Edmundston Regional Hospital to date. According to Sharon Smyth Okana, Acting Vice-President of Clinical Services for the Network, this change will maximize the available resources of these two hospitals in the Northwest.  “By moving cataract surgery to Grand Falls, we estimate that we will be able to offer this service to 500 additional patients per year, which is a 45 percent increase over the current level,” Ms. Smyth Okana explained. “At the same time, surgeons will have greater access to the Surgical Suite in Edmundston, which will in turn reduce surgical waiting times and give patients better access,” she explained.

The Network’s President and CEO, Gilles Lanteigne, is also very pleased with this project.  “Our community facilities have a crucial role to play in delivering services close to home, and this project is a concrete example of that. In addition, this change of facility will help us deliver surgical services within set timelines, follow best practices and meet national standards,” Mr. Lanteigne stated. The capital investments involved, including renovations and the purchase of specialized equipment, amount to just over $1.3 million. 

This initiative is the result of a partnership between Vitalité Health Network and the Fondation des Amis de l’Hôpital général de Grand-Sault, who provided $65,000 to purchase equipment.  According to the Foundation’s Chair, Ray Éthier, this is a wonderful project for the community and the Grand Falls facility.  “We are proud to be able to support this project financially and to fulfill our mission, which is to maintain and improve the quality of care delivered to patients at the Grand Falls General Hospital,” he said.