Improved access to life-saving health care in downtown Vancouver takes another leap forward as construction kicks off for the new St. Paul’s Hospital at the Jim Pattison Medical Centre, the largest hospital redevelopment project in B.C.’s history.

“The new St. Paul’s Hospital will be home to world-class public health care as well as research and a teaching centre that will help transform patient care for people in B.C.,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health. “After more than a decade and a half of stalling, I am proud that our government gave this project the green light and took further action for this new, state-of-the-art facility. The St. Paul’s Hospital will continue its legacy of serving the people around the province now and in the future.”

The new St. Paul’s will continue to serve people in Vancouver and all of B.C. as an internationally renowned, full-service, acute-care hospital and integrated health campus with capacity for up to 548 beds, which includes 115 new beds.

The site will be the home of several leading provincial programs and referral centres, including heart and lung care, renal, specialty surgeries and transplants, and eating disorders.

“This is an exciting step toward a new hospital that will benefit not only Vancouver but British Columbia as a whole,” said Melanie Mark, MLA for Vancouver-Mount Pleasant. “I am proud that Vancouver-Mount Pleasant will be home to this state-of-the-art health-care facility and look forward to the doors opening for the community.”

The hospital will offer general and specialized care, including HIV/AIDS care, chronic disease management services, emergency and critical care, mental health and addictions beds and programs, ambulatory services and outpatient clinics, end-of-life care, Indigenous health-care services, maternity services and community outreach programs.

St. Paul’s Hospital will continue to be a teaching hospital, training University of British Columbia medical students, British Columbia Institute of Technology nursing students and other health-sector professions.

“The new St. Paul’s Hospital will serve more people and offer even better access to the public health care people have come to expect,” said Brenda Bailey, MLA for Vancouver-False Creek. “The project will also offer a boost to our economy through the jobs it’s creating, which is fantastic news.”

The cost of the new hospital is $2.174 billion. The provincial government is investing $1.327 billion. St. Paul’s Foundation has committed to raising $125 million, with another $100 million raised for other ongoing and future needs, and Providence Health Care will invest the balance of the cost from the sale of the current St. Paul’s property.

PCL Construction will build the new hospital at 1002 Station St., expected to open in 2027. The project will create 8,523 direct jobs and an additional 5,383 indirect jobs, such as construction material manufacturing and food services.

Quotes:

Fiona Dalton, president and chief executive officer, Providence Health Care —

“We’re extremely pleased to begin the next phase of the new St. Paul’s Hospital. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build an innovative new hospital and health campus from the ground up to better serve B.C. for the next 125 years. A new building will allow us to also re-examine how we will provide clinical care and improve our patient, family and staff experience in a modern, more technologically advanced facility.”

Dick Vollet, president and chief executive officer, St. Paul’s Foundation —

“It's been almost four years since Mr. Jim Pattison made his leadership gift of $75 million to launch us on this path to the new St. Paul's at the Jim Pattison Medical Centre. Thanks to our visionary donors and volunteers, the Providence Health Care family and our project partners, the new St. Paul’s Hospital will be purpose built to put people first – a place where the best and brightest minds will work together to collaborate on new discoveries, heal the sick and mentor the next generation of health-care providers.”

Vivian Eliopolous, interim president and chief executive officer, Vancouver Coastal Health —

“We are proud of our partners at Providence Health Care for reaching this milestone. We look forward to our continued collaboration with Providence Health Care and the new St. Paul’s Hospital to continue to meet the needs of all British Columbians.”

Quick Facts:

• All new hospitals in B.C. are planned to a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold standard at minimum.
• Opened in 1894, St. Paul’s Hospital offers medical and surgical programs, including cardiac services, HIV/AIDS and kidney care for people around British Columbia.
• All services offered by Vancouver Coastal Health in the West End and downtown will remain after St. Paul’s Hospital relocates.
• Providence Health Care and Vancouver Coastal Health are working collaboratively so people in the West End/downtown will continue to have access to health-care services. This will be done through existing services, while expanding, enhancing and improving access to primary, home and community services.
• St. Paul’s Hospital will continue to operate at full capacity at its current site on Burrard Street until the new hospital is open.

Learn More:

For photos, visit: https://www.flickr.com/gp/bcgovphotos/5tp6xW

To learn more about the new St. Paul’s Hospital, visit:
http://thenewstpauls.ca/news-updates/media-gallery/