The Lakes District Hospital and Health Centre replacement project took an important step forward today with the release of a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for a new health-care facility.

The RFQ is the first step in the process to select a qualified team to design and build the replacement facility.

The new hospital was announced on April 12, 2012. The replacement hospital will house up to 16 beds, provide acute care and emergency services, diagnostic imaging, a laboratory and pharmacy. Facility space is planned for the delivery of mental health and addictions services, including administrative and logistical services.

"When I visited Burns Lake last month, I pledged that we would be moving forward. Today is the first of many milestones in the process of building a new hospital in Burns Lake, all of which are exciting news for patients, families and hospital staff," said Health Minister Michael de Jong. "All across British Columbia we are building better patient care, including Northern B.C."

"This is yet another example of our government accelerating investment to create jobs for the Burns Lake community in the aftermath of the Babine Forest Products tragedy," said Jobs, Tourism and Innovation Minister Pat Bell. "It's great to see this project move forward because it will create high-paying construction jobs in the local community as well as allow health-care professionals to continue the excellent care they provide to residents."

"It is great to see the process get underway," said Nechako Lakes MLA John Rustad. "A new hospital in Burns Lake has been my priority as well as Northern Health."

The RFQ is a competitive selection process that invites teams to indicate their interest and qualifications to design and build the new hospital in Burns Lake. Respondent teams shortlisted during the RFQ process will then be invited to respond to a Request for Proposals (RFP). Northern Health expects to choose a preferred proponent by March 2013, with design-build activities commencing immediately after. The replacement hospital is expected to be completed by the summer of 2015.

"This project will enable the provision of integrated health services and an excellent work environment for staff and physicians," said Cathy Ulrich, Northern Health CEO.

The total value of the new hospital is estimated to be in the range of $50 million to $55 million, and will be refined once the contract has been awarded. Funding will be cost-shared by the Province and Stuart Nechako Regional Hospital District.

"It's a great day for Burns Lake and the surrounding area. The Lakes District Hospital and Health Centre has been a long time in the making, and the release of the RFQ is an exciting piece of the project," said Ralph Roy, chair of the Stuart Nechako Regional Hospital District. "I would like to thank the Province, Northern Health, along with past and present Stuart Nechako Regional Hospital District directors to get the project to this stage."

A new hospital in Burns Lake will enable Northern Health clinicians and staff to deliver client-focused, health-care services in a modernized environment that will ultimately improve outcomes for patients. The announcement of the replacement hospital will also help to attract and retain quality health-care professionals in the community. The new building will require Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification, and will maximize the interior and exterior use of wood, consistent with the Wood First Act.

The current Lakes District Hospital and Health Centre in Burns Lake was built in 1960 and refurbishing was deemed too costly. Since 2001, the Ministry of Health has provided approximately $500,000 to Northern Health in support of improving the condition of the facility. The project is expected to generate approximately 200 direct jobs during the construction period.

Since 2001, more than $7 billion has been spent on health capital projects in British Columbia. Over the next three years, British Columbia's health-care system will benefit from investments such as new medical equipment and modernized health facilities as part of a $2.3-billion health sector capital plan.

This includes investments like a new Lakes District Hospital and Health Centre in Burns Lake and a new Queen Charlotte-Haida Gwaii General hospital. Additionally, the Fort St. John Hospital and Peace Villa are due to open this summer. In the fall, the B.C. Cancer Centre for the North in Prince George is scheduled to open, bringing cancer care closer to home for northern residents.

The RFQ is available at: www.bcbid.ca

Media Contacts:

Ryan Jabs
Media Relations Manager
Ministry of Health
250 952-1887 (media line)

Northern Health
250 961-7724