Early this year I experienced the integrated, leading-edge medical care that is being provided on a daily basis by the dedicated front line caregivers at RJH. After a game of tennis, I suddenly and unexpectedly had an acute GI bleed, losing a significant amount of blood over a short period of time. I was rushed to the Emergency Department at RJH where Dr. Michelle Tousignant took charge. She was extremely competent, calm and very caring. Her emergency team and colleagues worked through the evening and early morning until I was stabilized. Four days later I was released from the hospital as the grateful beneficiary of amazing care. I would now like to support these dedicated front line caregivers during these challenging times.

Why should we support critical care?/Why do we need a High Acuity Unit?

* Front line care teams have identified the expansion of critical care capacity at RJH as their greatest priority.

* Over the last 10 years there has been an 83% increase in ICU admissions at RJH but only a 38% increase in critical care beds. 

* Vancouver Island is the only Health Authority in BC that does not have a High Acuity Unit (HAU) to complement its ICU. 

* The HAU will take pressure off of the emergency department and will support patients recovering from high-risk health conditions (e.g., stroke, organ failure, high-risk heart, cancer or vascular surgery.)

Will you join me in supporting our local hospital and critical care teams during this unprecedented year?