Squamish is soon going to have a second small emergency hospital.
Dr. Paul Martiquet, the Coast-Garibaldi region medical health officer for the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority, told District of Squamish (DOS) Council this week that he secured enough money from the federal and provincial governments to put together a mobile emergency hospital complete with a full operating room and an x-ray machine.
Martiquet asked council at its regular meeting Tuesday (July 19) to formally declare support-in-principle for the project and to direct the DOS staff to help him find the best location for the mobile hospital.
Council responded by doing just what Martiquet asked for.
According to Martiquet, the federal government contributed $300,000 to the project while the province put up the funding to buy two 12.2 metre (40 feet) shipping containers and a third container half the size of the other two that will be stocked with medical supplies.
He told the local lawmakers the DOS contribution to the project will consist of the help to find an appropriate place to store the trailers and a small amount of electricity to power the facility while it isn't being used.
Along with being located close to a power source, Martiquet said the trailers need to be in a secure place where they won't be subjected to vandalism.
Responding to Coun. Corinne Lonsdale's concern about long term maintenance costs, Martiquet said Health Canada has a team that inspects facilities like the one proposed for Squamish.
"This is something local physicians have been asking for from us for a while," said Martiquet.
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