Construction is now underway on the Mission Community Health Project, which includes a new community health centre and 200-bed campus of care for seniors.

The FVRHD provided $22 million toward the $31.2 million campus of care for seniors project, with the balance of funding coming from Fraser Health and the Fraser Valley Health Care Foundation. Fraser Health and the FVRHD view this project as an innovative prototype for communities throughout Fraser Valley. The leased community health centre and campus of care for seniors will help ensure that families can receive primary health care services, access chronic disease management programs and have their residential care needs met while remaining in their own community.

The community health centre is set to open in summer 2013 followed by the campus of care for seniors in spring 2014. This unique service model will provide families in the Fraser Valley with access to integrated health services right in their own backyard.

Committed to improving access to health-care services, the project is seen as a major achievement for the Mission Community Health Plan, a partnership developed between Fraser Health, the FVRHD and the District of Mission in 2008. Guided by the current and future needs of the community, the plan has served as a founding vision of this project. By locating a range of services in one geographic area adjacent to Mission Memorial Hospital, health services and outcomes will be improved by providing the community with client-centred care outside a hospital environment.

The campus of care for seniors reflects government's commitment to ensure supports are in place for British Columbians as they age. The government's Seniors' Action Plan was launched in February 2012 to ensure a more accessible, transparent and accountable approach to seniors' care. The plan contains specific deliverables to improve seniors' care and to help seniors and their families navigate the health system.

The government of B.C. has already moved forward with a number of deliverables including the June 2012 launch of a toll-free phone line specifically for seniors. The line ensures the timely response and resolution of concerns about health-care services.

Quotes:

Minister of Health Michael de Jong -

"I am extremely pleased to see work begin on this exciting project that will serve as a model for other communities in the Fraser Valley, and the province as a whole. This is an excellent example of what we can accomplish when all the partners share a common vision to improve health services and outcomes for the people in our communities."

Maple Ridge-Mission MLA Marc Dalton -

"We live in a fast growing region and this project will help support the health of all our citizens - from young families to seniors - for years to come. The new facilities will help alleviate strains on Mission Memorial Hospital, ensure that seniors can receive care closer to home and the project will also create jobs to help support local families."

Abbotsford-Mission MLA Randy Hawes -

"This project has been championed by residents and stakeholders in the community and the new facilities will help us better serve the health needs of Fraser Valley families into the future. It is great news that with today's official groundbreaking we are one step closer to having these facilities become a reality."

Fraser Health president and CEO, Dr. Nigel Murray -

"Guided by the current and future needs of the community, this project is a wonderful example of what happens when we put the patients and their needs first. Integrated medical assessments and client-centred care improve access to health-care services and facilitate the co-ordination of those services. We are pleased that the families of Mission and the Fraser Valley as a whole will benefit from this significant project."

Chair of Fraser Valley Regional Hospital District, Chuck Stam -

"Innovative, exciting and unique. The new Community Health Centre and Campus of Care will set the standard on how facilities development should happen. This public/private partnership will enable us to deliver a project that residents of Mission and the whole of the Fraser Valley can be proud of."

Quick Facts:

• The leased community health centre will be a 2,500-square-metre (26,000-square-foot) facility.

• The centre will house a variety of programs and services including primary care, a diabetes and seniors' clinic, public health services, home health, mental health and substance use services.

• The campus of care for seniors will be approximately 12,400-square-metre (133,500-square-foot) facility with 200 residential care beds for people with complex 24/7 care needs, and a day program for older adults.

• This new facility will add 49 new beds to the community.

• The campus will replace out-of-date buildings with a modern facility that will feature single occupancy rooms and several "neighbourhoods" that will allow residents close access to essentials including meals, amenity spaces and clinical staff.

Learn More:

Improving Care for B.C. Seniors: An Action Plan is available online at: www.seniorsbc.ca

Are you a senior who is having issues with health-care services? The toll-free Seniors Health Care Support Line is available Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 1-877-952-3181 or 250 952-3181 in Victoria.

Media Contact:

Ministry of Health
250 952-1887 (media line)

Fraser Health Media Pager
604 450-7881