Helping to deliver improved health outcomes with the Squamish General Hospital Auxiliary Society

Fetal heart rate monitors are key tools for health care professionals through prenatal care and during labour and delivery. They provide constant readings of important health indicators such as fetal heart rate, maternal blood pressure, and maternal blood oxygen saturation levels. Having easy access to this information allows nurses and doctors to better understand fetal health throughout the pregnancy, how labour is progressing and, most importantly, can help with early detection of any problems so they can provide proactive patient care.

While the Squamish General Hospital has fetal heart monitors available, there was a clear need for an upgrade. But with hospital budgets across Canada regularly stretched, there are rarely guarantees when new equipment can be procured. And that’s where the Squamish Hospital Auxiliary Society came in.

The Squamish General Hospital Auxiliary Society can trace its roots back to 1952. Today, it is a group of dedicated Squamish residents who independently fundraise to provide added funds for important medical devices and equipment to enhance the care at the Squamish General Hospital. In 2023 alone, the Auxiliary raised more than $100,000 for new equipment for the hospital- from lab chairs to operating room tables.

“It’s a privilege to work with the Auxiliary,” said Diane Normandin, Treasurer of the Auxiliary, “We raise money to buy equipment for the hospital and it benefits the whole Sea to Sky region. We do good work.”

The Auxiliary targeted the purchase of new fetal heart monitors for the hospital. While the hospital’s current units still work, more modern units have added functionality, providing health care professionals with more information and has wireless sensors that allow those in labour the ability to move around freely. Freedom of movement is important for those in labour as it can reduce pain, speed up the labour process and allows for a more natural feeling birth experience without the need for numerous connecting wires.

“Woodfibre LNG came through and gave us the ten thousand, which is wonderful. They (the hospital) really needed the fetal heart monitors,” said Julie Erb, Chair of the Auxiliary.

Supporting health care is a key community investment pillar for Woodfibre LNG. Supporting the long-term health of the community matches the company’s commitment to Squamish and investing in medical devices and infrastructure, like fetal heart monitors or the new CT scanner for the Squamish General Hospital, provide lasting benefits for residents of the Sea to Sky region.