Families living in Cranbrook and surrounding communities are now benefiting from better care for infants with the renovation and expansion of the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at East Kootenay Regional Hospital.

“The new NICU provides modern equipment and a supportive environment so newborns and families can receive specialized care close to home,” said Bowinn Ma, Minister of Infrastructure. “The expanded unit strengthens maternity care in this region and ensures every child has the best possible start in life.”

Previously, many families who needed specialized newborn care had to travel long distances, often to larger centres like Kelowna or Calgary. Upgrading the local NICU means more newborns can receive care close to home.

For parents, it means less travel, less stress and more time together as a family, during a vulnerable time. For staff, it means a better, more functional environment to deliver care. And for the region, it strengthens the local health system by ensuring babies can be born and cared for in their community.

“The regional NICU in Cranbrook is a significant improvement for our community’s health care,” said Dr. Paul Kahlke, department head, pediatrics, East Kootenay Regional Hospital, Interior Health. “We can now provide specialized care for newborns locally, reducing the need for transfers out of the region. This means faster, more accessible support for families and a healthier beginning for our newborns.”

The new NICU opened on Nov. 13 and provides:

• neonatal services for newborns aged 34 weeks or older who are at low to moderate risk of health complications;
• new, modern equipment for specialized neonatal care;
• private spaces for parents and newborns, including comfortable furniture and supports for infant feeding and lactation;
• improved security features, such as controlled access in and out of the unit, as well as an infant abduction prevention system;
• enhanced infection prevention with dedicated hand hygiene sinks; and
• additional work and nursing stations to support timely care, improve patient assessment and allow staff to fully utilize their specialized skills.

The project was funded by the province, the Kootenay East Regional Hospital District (KERHD) and the East Kootenay Foundation for Health (EKFH). The province provided almost $820,000 for the NICU.

Construction on the NICU began in early 2025 and the unit officially opened on Nov. 13. All renovations were completed on schedule.

“The newly renovated nursery at East Kootenay Regional Hospital will make it easier and faster for newborns to receive high-quality care,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health. “It also brings greater peace of mind to parents and families, who can now rely on timely treatment close to home. With this upgrade, the support newborns need is here in the community, whenever growing families need it.”

KERHD Chair David Wilks stated: “As a contributing funder, we are proud to partner in this project, as it significantly strengthens support for newborns, parents and the dedicated staff who care for them.”

EKFH executive director Brenna Hong added: “On behalf of the board of directors and staff at the East Kootenay Foundation for Health, we want to thank our donors and supporters from the bottom of our hearts. Because of you, more babies and families can stay close to home and receive the care they deserve.”

“This is about giving new mothers, parents and their babies the very best start in life. Families in the Cranbrook region will now have access to specialized intensive care close to home, in a safe and supportive environment, during what can be both a joyful and overwhelming time,” said Interior Health president and CEO Sylvia Weir.

Learn more about the East Kootenay Regional Hospital NICU…

Lead image: The renovated and expanded neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at East Kootenay Regional Hospital. Interior Health photo

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