FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Back L-R): Hon. Mark McLane, Minister of Health and Wellness; Hon. Dennis King, Premier of Prince Edward Island; Kyle MacDonald, IWK Foundation Board of Trustees; Jennifer Gillivan, President & CEO, IWK Foundation; Trena Crewe, Vice President, Philanthropy, IWK Foundation.
(Front L-R): Ruby, an IWK patient from PEI, and her mom, Alisha.
Charlottetown, P.E. (October 1, 2024) – The IWK Foundation is announcing a $2-million investment from the Government of Prince Edward Island to ensure world-class emergency care for children, youth and families throughout the Maritimes. This is the first time that the Prince Edward Island government has philanthropically supported the IWK Foundation and ultimately patients and families who rely on the IWK for care.
This investment will support the redevelopment of the IWK Emergency Department, ensuring IWK health care providers are able to meet the increased demands and needs of Maritime families for years to come. The redevelopment is critical to advance service improvements, infrastructure and overall experience for patients, service users and staff alike.
“Island children and their families deserve the best possible care when they face emergencies. This investment reinforces our commitment to ensuring that they have access to specialized emergency services at the IWK,” said Hon. Dennis King, Premier of Prince Edward Island. “By supporting the redevelopment of the IWK Emergency Department, we are taking important steps to provide world-class care that meets the unique needs of our youngest Islanders.”
IWK Health is home to the only emergency department in the Maritimes that specializes in the care of infants, children and youth. As the only accredited Level 1 pediatric trauma centre east of Quebec, the IWK Emergency Department delivers urgent and life-saving care and has access to all surgical specialties and a dedicated team to manage any trauma situation in the region.
“The IWK Health Centre has long been a trusted partner-in-care for our youngest Islanders. With this contribution, we are ensuring access and equipping the IWK Emergency Department to deliver the specialized care that families rely on now and for years to come,” said Hon. Mark McLane, Minister of Health and Wellness.
For the first time in its history, the IWK Emergency Department is close to exceeding 45,000 annual visits from patients. As the only 24/7 emergency child and adolescent psychiatry service in the Maritimes, this number also includes crisis visits for mental health and addictions.
There has never been a greater need or time to invest in the future of specialized pediatric emergency care at the IWK. Supporters like the Government of Prince Edward Island play a key role in making the new IWK Emergency Department a reality.
“Thank you to the Government of Prince Edward for their commitment to helping the IWK build an emergency department that delivers the exceptional care our Maritime children and families expect and deserve,” said Jennifer Gillivan, President & CEO, IWK Foundation. “Last year, children and youth from P.E.I visited the IWK Emergency Department 63 times. While no one imagines a child they love requiring life-saving emergency care, these families and families across the region know they can depend on the IWK when they need it most.”
The IWK also works closely with local hospitals and care providers throughout Prince Edward Island, allowing patients to be cared for as close to home as possible.
The IWK Foundation is privileged to work in partnership with IWK Health and the Government of Nova Scotia on this essential redevelopment. The IWK Foundation’s goal is to raise $26.5 million to support the purchase of specialized equipment as well as specific facility upgrades, enhancements and research.
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About the IWK Foundation
The IWK Foundation is a champion of excellence in women's and children's health and medicine and works in partnership with IWK Health to support their vision of providing quality care to women, children, youth and families in the Maritime Provinces and beyond. Our donors are passionately committed to making a difference for Maritime families, contributing over $25.2 million in support of the most urgent care priorities at the IWK last year. Funds raised also support the IWK's global leadership in research and knowledge sharing, which in turn improves lives worldwide. Visit www.iwkfoundation.org for more information.
About IWK Health
IWK Health is the Maritime region's leading health care and research centre dedicated to the well-being of women, children, youth and families, in all their diversity. In addition to providing highly specialized and complex care, the IWK provides certain primary care services and is a strong advocate for the health of families. The IWK is a global leader in research and knowledge sharing, and a partner in educating the next generation of health professionals. Visit www.iwkhealth.ca for more information.
Media Contact
Sarah Greening
IWK Foundation
P: 902.266.3306
E: sarah.greening@iwkfoundation.org