The new “Solo Step” track and harness system at the Miller Centre ensures there is zero risk of falling during rehabilitative exercises. This gives patients security and confidence that leads to quicker rehabilitation, and because physical therapists no longer have to hold patients up during exercises, they can stand back and observe their patient’s progress. This “hands off” approach gives patients more dignity and comfort. The NuStep Cross Trainers at the Miller Centre and Pleasant View Towers are adaptable exercise equipment for mobility impaired individuals with attachment for arm and leg extensions. Your donations to the Health Care Foundation have funded other pieces of equipment, such as Gaitkeeper Mini Treadmill – to use with litegait – portable walking surface; Sci Fit Exercise Bike, Eyemobile Plus, Invistus Active trainer, and Sci Fit Exercise Bike. In 2020, your donations purchased a Point of Care Ultrasound Machine. This is a physician tool that enables more accurate injections of botox and other drugs in the management of soft tissue injuries, particularly spasticity. In 2022, your donations redeveloped of the Miller Centre Exercise Room. The exercise room, now called the Exercise Medicine Lab is up and running, with the first program started in June. The room has allowed the Miller Centre to introduce GLAD Canada’s program for hip and knee osteoarthritis management, a program that looks to return function to the lower extremity through targeted exercise and movement. This program runs for a six-week period with participants attending 12 times. The room is being used by both outpatients and inpatients at the Miller Center and will introduce strength training and aerobic conditioning into their recovery plan. Staff are able to use the room for exercise before and after work or on lunch. The intention is to grow the capacity to offer exercise medicine as a rehab strategy for populations that could benefit from this approach, including cancer, stroke, metabolic disease, and more. This room will play a key role in both the diagnosis and prescription of the exercise intervention, and a space to develop the habit of exercise. The Miller Centre is the provincial rehabilitation site and exposure of staff to innovations in the rehabilitation sector occurs out of province. With the restrictions on how education funds can be spent internal to Eastern Health, staff has not been able to send anyone to conferences, trade shows or learning opportunities for a few years. The Health Care Foundation supports the Staff Knowledge Transfer Fund: Professional Education Fund for Staff, which impacts staff's ability to stay current in the field.

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