NORTH ISLAND - The North Island Hospitals Project is moving closer to the start of construction with the issuing today of a Request for Qualifications for new state-of-the-art acute care facilities in Campbell River and the Comox Valley.

"The issuing of the RFQ for the North Island Hospitals Project is great news for all residents of North Island," said Don McRae, Comox Valley MLA on behalf of Health Minister Michael de Jong. "This is a significant project that will serve the health-care needs of North Island communities for many years to come."

The RFQ is the first stage in the competitive selection process that invites interested teams to submit responses indicating their interest in and qualifications for the project. The next step will be to identify a shortlist of up to three teams who will then be invited to submit proposals to design, build, finance and maintain the two hospitals.

"VIHA is excited to be moving forward with this phase of the North Island Hospitals Project, which marks the start of the work necessary to design and build these new facilities," said Don Hubbard, VIHA board chair. "These two new hospitals will enhance quality of life for North Island residents by providing innovative design and accessible, high-quality care closer to home."

The North Island Hospitals Project includes a new 95-bed hospital in Campbell River and a new hospital in the Comox Valley with capacity for up to 153 beds.

The estimated capital cost of up to $600 million for the project will be shared by the Province (60 per cent) and the Comox Strathcona Regional Hospital District (40 per cent). Construction is anticipated to start in 2013 with completion slated for 2017. The project will create approximately 1,900 direct jobs and over 1,400 indirect jobs in industries.

"We are very happy that the North Island Hospitals Project is moving to this next step," said Claire Moglove, chair, Comox Strathcona Regional Hospital District. "A project of this magnitude will be several years in creation, and moving forward with the RFQ phase is significant."

All health-care services will continue to be funded by the Province and delivered by VIHA. The Province maintains control and decision-making over services and owns the facilities over the life of the agreement.

The RFQ can be viewed on the BC Bid website: www.bcbid.ca

For more information on the NIHP, visit: www.viha.ca/about_viha/building_for_health/nihp.htm

Media Contacts:

Valerie Wilson
VIHA Communications
250 739-6303

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