Foundations contribute to bariatric care at Dauphin Regional Health Centre
Thanks to the assistance of the Dauphin Hospital Foundation, a second special bariatric wheelchair was recently purchased for the Dauphin Regional Health Centre (DRHC). The wheelchair purchase, of over $8,000, coincided with an initial purchase of a wheelchair courtesy of the RBC Foundation.
As Prairie Mountain Health (PMH) continues with plans to support the DRHC as a bariatric care site, the purchases were much appreciated.
The RBC Foundation contributed $10,0000 which was used to buy one of the wheelchairs and some remaining funds went towards staff education and training for bariatric lift and care resources.
A bariatric wheelchair is a specialized, heavy-duty mobility device with reinforced frames and wider seating to safely accommodate individuals with higher body weights.
“We are extremely pleased with the Foundations’ contribution to our bariatric care initiative as we continue to focus on patient-centered care at Dauphin Regional Health Centre,” said Jeanette Logan, Prairie Mountain Health Manager of Health Services – Regional Therapy Services. “By enhancing our health centre to be conducive for care for people of all sizes, a full scope of specialized equipment will allow for improved patient flow and support for bariatric patients that have mobility difficulties.”
The RBC Foundation donation was part of a national commitment during National Nursing Week in May that saw more than $30 million donated in single-year and multi-year donations to 93 Canadian hospitals, including Dauphin Regional Health Centre. The funds are part of RBC’s national commitment to strengthening healthcare by supporting workforce training, inclusive patient care and sustainable, accessible hospital spaces.
Over the summer of 2026, Jeanette Logan is working with two students who hope to become an Occupational Therapist and Physiotherapist on developing safe work procedures on use of bariatric slings and safe client handling procedures.
“We are also very fortunate to continue to be supported by the Dauphin Hospital Foundation who purchased the second wheelchair for us. The Dauphin Hospital Foundation has stepped forward on many initiatives and equipment purchases that have continued to benefit programs and services within our health centre, for which remain grateful,” Logan added.
PMH continues to move forward on the bariatric care site initiative, which will include renovating and retrofitting patient areas at DRHC. Some of the work completed to date includes the installation of ceiling track lifts/accessible door widths in renovated patient rooms on medicine, a bariatric accessible room in the Emergency Department, and bariatric parallel bars in the therapy gym. This is part of an ongoing process to provide for an accessible environment for all.
Jeanette Logan, Prairie Mountain Health Manager of Health Services – Regional Therapy Services, with one of Dauphin Regional Health Centre’s new bariatric chairs.