MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 20, 2010

Audio/Visual Therapy for the Therapeutic Recreational Area
at BGH Garden Street Site

Brockville: It’s a makeover Oprah would admire.

The Therapeutic Recreation Area at the Brockville General Hospital Garden Street Site (GSS) has been given a new lease on life thanks to the efforts of the Brockville General Volunteer Association (BGVA), BGH staff and corporate support.

“Over the years,” explains BGH Therapeutic Recreational Specialist Thomas Hanson who has worked at Garden Street for 12 years, “this room was the Pediatric Room and then Day Surgery before becoming the Activities Room. Needless to say, it looked quite different.”

What had become with various uses a worn-out facility at GSS was re-opened on July 9th as a sea-green sanctuary resplendent with new sunlight-filtering window treatments, a 5-speaker surround sound system, and a 50” flat-screen TV for the clients in rehabilitation, palliative or complex/continuing care to enjoy.

Picking up the tab for the renovation and new equipment is the BGVA, from the profits of the sale of HELPP break-open lottery tickets sold by the volunteers in the gift shop at GSS. BGH maintenance staff provided the structural upgrades and painting, while long-time BGVA members Gail Parslow and Colette Naylor contributed their eye for décor. Stuart Spurrell, owner of Mark’s Stereo, sold the equipment and donated his time to install it.

“The room is not only beautiful now,” says Reverend Allan McDowell, BGH Chaplain, “but also much more accessible to the residents. With the lower storage for accessories, it is much easier for someone in a wheelchair to use the room.  The system with the large TV is also wonderful for people to follow along with liturgy or scripture.”

“It’s money well spent,” says BGVA President Maureen Overy. Overy explains the same support was given the main lounge at GSS last year for a much-needed makeover. “It was beautifully done, as is this,” says Overy. “It’s all an investment in quality of patient care experience.”

 



 

Jpeg attached: Happy with the new room at GSS are (front row, l – r) Maureen Overy, BGVA President; BGVA member Gail Parslow; BGH staff Dan Smith and Lee Ann Gratton; (back row, l – r) BGVA member Colette Naylor; BGH staff Sherry Anderson; Dave Bessant, BGVA Vice President; BGH staff Dale Dixon and Thomas Hanson; and Stuart Spurrell.


For more information, please contact:

Maggie Wheeler Communications Officer BROCKVILLE GENERAL HOSPITAL 613-345-5649 Ext. 1-1504

Healthy people – Outstanding Care

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