The next phase of the BC Children's and BC Women's Hospitals redevelopment project is moving ahead with the evaluation of proponents who responded to the Request for Qualifications to build a new Acute Care Centre.

"The new Acute Care Centre will have an expanded neonatal intensive care unit, additional inpatient beds and a larger emergency department," said Health Minister Margaret MacDiarmid. "This means better care for thousands of our youngest patients and their families. The new facility will also assist us in attracting and retaining health professionals and clinical staff."

The Request for Qualifications closed on Feb. 26, 2013 and marked the first stage in the competitive selection process that invited teams to submit responses indicating their interest in and qualifications to deliver the Acute Care Centre. Once the evaluation is complete, a shortlist of up to three teams will be invited to submit proposals to design, build, finance and maintain the new centre. It's anticipated the shortlist will be finalized by spring 2013 with a preferred proponent expected to be chosen by spring 2014.

The total cost of the redevelopment project is estimated at $680 million. Phase 2 is expected to cost up to $543 million and includes the Acute Care Centre. The BC Children's Hospital Foundation has pledged to raise $200 million through the Campaign for BC Children with $150 million going toward the redevelopment project.

"A key feature of the Acute Care Centre will be the use of single patient rooms, which will provide sufficient space for a family member to room in, as well as access to natural light for an improved healing environment," said Provincial Health Services Authority board chair Wynne Powell. "This work will allow BC Children's Hospital and BC Women's Hospital & Health Centre to continue to meet increasing demands for care and the specialized needs that will serve British Columbians for decades to come."

Construction of the new Acute Care Centre is anticipated to get underway in winter 2014-15 with completion currently targeted for winter 2017-18.

Since 2001-02, $8 billion has been spent on health sector capital projects in British Columbia. Over the next three years, British Columbia will benefit from investments such as new medical equipment and modernized health-care facilities as part of a $2.3-billion health sector capital plan.

BC Children's Hospital and BC Women's Hospital & Health Centre are both agencies of the Provincial Health Services Authority. The Provincial Health Services Authority plans, manages and evaluates selected specialty and provincewide, health-care services throughout B.C., working with the five geographic health authorities to deliver provincewide solutions that improve the health of British Columbians.

BC Children's Hospital provides expert care for the province's most seriously ill or injured children, along with a range of specialized services for children. BC Women's Hospital & Health Centre provides services for pregnant women, newborns, families and women with specialized health needs from throughout the province.

Media contacts:

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

BC Children's and BC Women's Redevelopment Project
604 871-5699 (PHSA media pager)