Office of the Premier
Premier Christy Clark announced that the redevelopment of St. Paul's Hospital is moving ahead with finalizing the concept plan.
"St. Paul's Hospital delivers world-class care to families in Vancouver and from across British Columbia," said Premier Clark. "Finalizing the concept plan is a critical milestone that will lay a strong foundation for a redeveloped hospital that ensures patients and families continue to receive that world-class health care for years to come."
The Ministry of Health and Providence Health Care will immediately begin work to finalize the redevelopment concept plan, noting the detailed planning will need to account for the complexities of maintaining necessary care for patients on the current site when the project gets underway. It is expected the final concept plan and a more detailed business plan will be complete by 2014. The redevelopment timeframe will be determined through the business plan process.
"Patients and health-care professionals can have confidence that our government is addressing the renewal of St. Paul's Hospital," said Health Minister Michael de Jong. "Across British Columbia, we are building better patient care for future generations."
It is anticipated the redevelopment will include construction of a new outpatient care tower on the northwest corner of the current St. Paul's Hospital site as well as essential site infrastructure upgrades and selected renovations such as seismic upgrades to existing buildings. By consolidating and expanding outpatient programs and services, and upgrading existing facilities, the renewal of St. Paul's Hospital will provide more accessible, efficient care, allowing for improvements in health outcomes, while keeping pace with growing demands.
"It's welcome news that the government is committed to redeveloping St. Paul's Hospital," said Providence Health Care CEO and president Dianne Doyle. "We look forward to working with the government around the next steps."
Since 2001, the Government of British Columbia and its funding partners have invested more than $80 million in renovating and upgrading St. Paul's Hospital. This includes $17.2 million to replace aging electrical infrastructure and elevators; $14.7 million for emergency department renovations; $9 million on cardiac services, ambulatory redesign, ambulatory care clinic; $4.6 million for site consolidation and hemodialysis machines; and, $2.1 million for redesign of the surgical procedure rooms and outpatient department.
More than $7 billion has been invested over the last 10 years in health capital projects in B.C. In the next three years, B.C.'s health care system will benefit from investments, such as a redeveloped St. Paul's Hospital, as part of a $2.3-billion health sector capital plan.
Media contacts:
Sara MacIntyre
Communications Director
Office of the Premier
250 580-7701
Ryan Jabs, Media Relations Manager
Ministry of Health
250 952-1887 (media line)
Dave Lefebvre
Senior Communications Specialist - Media Relations
Providence Health Care
604 682-2344 Ext. 66987
604 837-6003 (c)
