Monday marked the first anniversary of the Abbotsford Regional Hospital and Cancer Centre.

Dignitaries, politicians, and staff gathered to celebrate the occasion.

In its first year, there were 50,000 visits to ARH’s emergency department while than more than 4,000 people were inpatients, and about 130,000 others were treated at outpatients clinics, for an operational cost of $17 million. The total expenditure budget for ARH in 2009/10 is $190 million.

Vivian Giglio, executive director of ARH, said the most notable aspect of the first year at the 261- bed facility was how smoothly things went.

“Opening a new regional hospital is a huge, monumental undertaking,” she said.

“How well it went and how the staff made this work is really a testament to who they are and their commitment.”

ARH has features which weren’t available at MSA Hospital, such as an MRI machine, expanded services for children, seniors and cancer patients, as well as a new renal dialysis unit, and a maternity ward where moms undergo labour, delivery, and recovery all in one private room.

“It’s one reason we’ve had a huge increase in the number of babies delivered,” said Giglio.

A total of 2,200 babies were born at ARH’s first year compared to an average of 1,800 at MSA.

Having the new renal unit allows local treatment for 5,000 patients who had to travel to Surrey or New Westminster for dialysis.

Brenda Booy, ARH director acute health services, said children now get care from a multidisciplinary team at the hospital’s pediatric clinic. Kids see not only doctors, but dieticians, social workers and psychologists. A total of 170 youngsters now attend the hospital’s diabetes clinic.

“It’s an increase in the level of care we’re able to provide ... families are ecstatic,” she said.

Dr. Frances Wong, chief physician for the BC Cancer Agency Abbotsford Centre, said there were 30,000 patient visits to the facility in its first year and that is expected to double in the coming years. The facility – the first to be built alongside its partner hospital in western Canada – offers not only treatments but a range of cancer services such as early detection, supportive or pain management, nutritional and research programs.

Wong also praised staff at the centre for getting it up and running with few problems.

The centre’s unique location next the ARH allows for a greater level of collaboration between the two facilities.

Giglio said the challenges ARH faces in the coming year are not much different than those of most hospitals in the province.

Congestion and limits to funding are issues the new hospital will have to overcome.

The new emergency department experienced a 25 per cent increase in visits compared to MSA.

Treatment in the ward is not as much an issue as the availability of beds, she said. She also thinks ARH will also be performing fewer surgeries as the Fraser Health Authority struggles to deal with a $130-million shortfall.

“We will continue working with Fraser Health to improve [the situation].It’s a challenge most hospitals face in this day and age,” she said.

Regardless, every time Giglio walks into the hospital’s atrium, which functions as the heart the building, she’s proud of the new facility.

“I think, ‘Wow! This is such an accomplishment,’ and I’m extremely happy the Fraser Valley, Abbotsford and Mission have these services available.”