Royal Inland Hospital's redevelopment has moved forward today with the approval of the business case for a new Clinical Services Building, which includes outpatient clinical services, educational space and up to 350 new stalls for onsite parking.

"Patients, and their families, as well as the health professionals who provide the care will benefit from the redevelopment," said Kamloops-North Thompson MLA Terry Lake on behalf of Health Minister Margaret MacDiarmid. "Expanded space, onsite parking and much-improved access to the facility are features of the first phase in the redevelopment of Royal Inland Hospital."

The Clinical Services Building will provide space for several outpatient services, including cardiopulmonary diagnostics and neurodiagnostics, community respiratory therapy, IV therapy, vascular improvement and medical outpatient services. The new building also will provide outpatient lab and electrocardiogram services, pre-surgical screening and operating room booking, teaching space for the UBC medical school program, a new lecture theatre as well as up to 350 spaces for onsite parking and improved vehicle and pedestrian access to the hospital.

The first phase of redevelopment is estimated to cost $79.8 million, with the Thompson Regional Hospital District contributing $31.9 million. Procurement for the Clinical Services Building is estimated to begin late spring 2013, with construction starting in spring 2014, and open to the public by spring 2016.

"This approval clears the way for the tendering process to launch construction of the Clinical Services Building, and proceed with $79.8 million in Phase One of our additions to Royal Inland Hospital," said Kamloops South-Thompson MLA Kevin Krueger. "With the previous $80 million invested at RIH since 2007, and the new seniors' facilities housing over 500 residents across Kamloops, as well as Premier Christy Clark's and Minister Margaret MacDiarmid's assurance that all phases of RIH's Master Development Plan are written into B.C.'s "Capital Plan, this is a massive and exciting upgrade to health-care delivery continues in Kamloops. "

"With the Interior's Psychiatric Centre, collaboration with Thompson Rivers University, modernization throughout Royal Inland, and the continuing great efforts of doctors and all members of the medical community, we are constantly attracting more specialists to our city," said Krueger.

"On behalf of the Thompson Regional Hospital District, I'm proud to contribute to this important project," said Peter Milobar, Thompson Regional Hospital District chair. "I think this is great news for the region."

In June 2011, Interior Health completed a master site plan for Royal Inland Hospital, which guides future development at the site. The plan highlighted priority areas requiring expansion and redesign, including hospital site access and parking, surgical services, in-patient areas and ambulatory care.

"Interior Health is committed to providing high-quality care, and as we complete each phase of the redevelopment, we come one step closer to ensuring health professionals can continue to provide outstanding care and service to our residents, " said Interior Health chair Norman Embree.

Since 2007, about $80 million in investments have been made at Royal Inland Hospital. This includes $27.5 million for second-floor redevelopment and new MRI, $17 million for the Hillside Centre mental health facility, $11 million to relocate the intensive care unit and $10.75 million for redevelopment of the medical device reprocessing department.

Media Contacts:

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

Erin Toews
Communications Officer
Interior Health Communications
250 314-2100, ext 3750