For nearly 28 years, Janice Deal has been a constant presence at Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital (PECMH). A dedicated nurse and lifelong Prince Edward County resident, she’s spent most of her life caring for patients within the walls of PECMH. She’s been part of the hospital’s story—and now, she’s helping shape its future. “It’s going to feel strange to walk out for the last time. There’s a lot of history here, a lot of memories,” said Janice. While Janice feels a deep connection to the current hospital, she’s also enthusiastic about the improvements the new PECMH will bring—especially when it comes to delivering safer, more efficient care in the Inpatient Unit, where she currently works as the Patient Care Lead. One of the most anticipated additions is a CT scanner, which will significantly reduce the need to transfer patients to another hospital for imaging. “Having a CT in the new PECMH will be a game-changer,” she said. “Also, while it might sound simple, I’m just as excited for accessible, private rooms equipped with their own washrooms. Right now, you can’t even get a wheelchair in some of them. It’s little things that make a huge difference. Dignity and safety go hand in hand—especially for our patients.” The current limitations of the building have long been a challenge for Quinte Health team members trying to manage patient flow and infection control. “Right now, we’re constantly rearranging beds when outbreaks happen because the rooms can’t safely isolate patients, and space is tight to maneuver the beds around,” Janice explained. “With one patient to a room in the new hospital, we won’t have to shuffle people around anymore. We’ll also have clinical areas—emergency, diagnostic imaging and the inpatient unit—conveniently located on one floor, which is really exciting.” Janice is especially proud of the fact that she had a seat at the table during the hospital’s design process in 2020. She was part of the internal planning committee, working alongside architects, pharmacists, physicians, and other Quinte Health team members and partners to help bring the vision to life. “I never thought I’d be helping design a hospital, but I got to give recommendations for things like where the fridges go and what the headwalls look like,” she said. “It was actually really cool to be part of those conversations.” Read more: https://quintehealth.ca/news-story/together-we-build-pecmh-team-spotlight-featuring-janice-deal/ #Connection #StrongerTogether (fb)

“I just wanted to share some positive feedback following my recent day surgery at your Belleville hospital. From the moment I arrived, I was met with kindness and helpfulness—even from staff entering the building to begin their shifts, who took the time to provide directions. Check-in was quick, efficient, and well-organized. The nursing staff in the Endoscopy Unit were exceptional. Every nurse I encountered was kind, caring, attentive, and genuinely happy. It was heartwarming to hear them chat about their week and families while supporting each other as they navigated a new system—it really reflected a strong team spirit. Dr. Prichett was warm and reassuring, and I appreciated the thoughtful note and clear post-op instructions. The anesthesiologist was also incredibly kind and made me feel very comfortable and at ease. My entire experience was professional, smooth, and truly memorable in the best way. Please pass along my sincere thanks and appreciation to the entire team.” – Lisa S. #OurPeople #WeAllMakeADifference (fb)