Family CARE Grants Bring Frontline Healthcare Workers' Ideas to Life
Published Monday, June 12, 2023
For the 14th year in a row, frontline staff at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre applied for grants for the ‘little things’ that can make a significant difference to patient care. The ideas for patient care improvements come directly from the staff on the frontlines of healthcare; the Family CARE Grant helps bring their ideas to life.
Thanks to funding provided by donors to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation, this year $74,773.50 was provided to fund 46 Family CARE (Care Advancements Recommended by Employees) Grants.
Barry Streib, Director, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation and Chair of the selection committee said, “We are excited to be funding these 46 different projects, which will be improving care for patients across the spectrum of the Hospital. We thank the frontline staff for their insights. It is truly a pleasure knowing that the grants which were funded will greatly benefit patients and families using our facility.”
Dr. Rhonda Crocker Ellacott, President & CEO of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre and CEO of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute, praised employees for submitting ideas and funding applications to enhance patients’ and their families’ experiences. “This program is an example of patient centred care in action. These grants support our physicians, staff and volunteers to better respond to the needs, values and preferences of our patients and their families. Their insights and commitment to continually improving our care helps us to achieve our Vision of ‘Exceptional care for every patient, every time’,” said Crocker Ellacott.
The 2022-23 Family CARE grants will fund the purchase of equipment that will benefit patients across the Health Sciences Centre. Some of the items making a difference this year include:
- 10 new two-wheeled walkers for Cardiology/Stroke so patients can get up and mobile sooner without having to wait for one to come available.
- A paediatric wheelchair for Paediatrics, sized for children - the first one for this department.
- Music CDs for Radiation Therapy so relaxing and multicultural music can be played for patients during treatment instead of listening to radio stations.
- Six sets of weights and 10 exercise bands for the Renal program to facilitate exercise for patients to improve their physical functioning, muscle strength and quality of life.
- A cell phone/device charging station in the Emergency Department for people to access during their time in the department, especially in cases that require unexpected long stays for patients and people accompanying them.
Parents of young children will be comforted to know about the stuffed animals that have been purchased for the OR. They will be available to comfort children in the OR before their operation. “It’s better when a child comes in if they can focus on something,” says Debra Everts, OR Team Leader. “We can play with it like a puppet or they can hold it – whatever they need. It really helps. They visibly calm down, and you can see their heart rate go down on the monitor, too.”
Helping kids feel less anxious during surgery is just one way Family CARE Grants help patients at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre every day. You can donate directly to the Family CARE Grant program online at healthsciencesfoundation.ca/donate (put “Family CARE Grant” in the message line) or call our Donation Centre directly at 807-345-4673.
A full list of all 2022 grants can be found online at healthsciencesfoundation.ca/familycare.