Who says Legos are merely for child's play? The toy has just inspired the creation of a Canadian facility.
In an article published last September 24, 2014, in CBC News, a team composed of Saskatchewan health care workers, members of the community, and Cypress Health Region officials were deliberating about how to create a newly announced health care facility in the area. This new facility, which will be constructed in Leader, would cost the government around $12 million. Upon completion, the community is expected to see a hospital, a clinic, a nursing home, and a building for EMS.
The health care facility, meanwhile, will take the bulk of the budget, costing $9.6 million, of which 80% will be covered by the provincial government and the rest from the local money. Nevertheless, the facility is intended to replace old buildings, which are composed of 4 separate facilities, and to increase the chances of the community to retain their health care professionals and bring new ones in.
Construction is expected to start by 2015 and be completed around 2017.
The participants of the meeting hoped to develop more cost-effective methods to fulfill the needs of patients and the community.
In one of the meetings, the consultants surprised the rest by bringing in a box of filled with Lego bricks. At first, the move was met with hesitation and apprehension. Some believed didn't know what to do with it while others thought that planning with Lego bricks was silly.
However, as they worked on the Lego bricks, they started to become more serious, generating new ideas and discussions.
Believers of the lean methodology, which promotes less waste of resources such as money and effort, the Leader members were able to create efficient plans in running the facility with the help of Lego bricks-before the real construction can begin.
For many years, Lego bricks have been used by parents to help children improve their independence, cognitive and motor skills, and curiosity. This story proved they are just as useful to adults.