People in northwestern B.C. are a step closer to getting public health care in modern surroundings as construction begins on a new hospital in Terrace.

“This is an exciting time for people in Terrace and the region, as work is getting going on a state-of-the-art hospital,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health. “There has been a lot of talk about a new hospital in Terrace, going back to 2010 when the request was originally made to replace the facility. I’m proud that our government recognized the need and took action, getting us to this important milestone.”

The 78-bed hospital will be more than twice the size of the current facility and feature private rooms. The emergency department will go from 10 treatment spaces to 20. The facility will have two trauma bays, six stretcher bays, four operating rooms and the latest diagnostic imaging equipment.

Mental-health services will be brought up to modern standards with the new and larger Seven Sisters regional mental-health facility being built on hospital grounds. There will be 25 beds at the new building, an increase from 20. The new hospital will also see an improvement in mental-health services, with 20 of the 78 beds dedicated to adult inpatient psychiatric care.

Northern Health will work collaboratively with local and regional First Nations to ensure the hospital is culturally safe and welcoming. Part of this work has been the creation of an Indigenous advisory working group, which will continue throughout the life of the project and give input into the new facility.

The new Mills Memorial Hospital will serve as the northwest region’s level-three trauma and inpatient surgery centre, providing immediate assessment, resuscitation, surgery and intensive care for injured patients. Currently, the hospital is a level-four trauma centre, meaning many patients are stabilized on site, then must be transported elsewhere.

The new hospital will be built at the north end of the current hospital grounds and is expected to be ready for patients in 2025. Demolition of the existing facility will follow to make way for more parking.

Northern Health has signed an agreement with PCL Constructors Westcoast Inc. to design and construct the project.

The project cost of $622.6 million is being shared between the provincial government, through Northern Health, and the North West Regional Hospital District, which is contributing $110.2 million.

Quotes:

Sheila Malcolmson, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions –

“It is so important for people who need mental-health care that we’re building the Mills Memorial Hospital with them front of mind. Together, we’re building a system where treatment for mental-health challenges is on par with any other health condition. I’m grateful to everyone involved in making this project a reality.”

Colleen Nyce, chair, Northern Health board –

“This project is an important investment for the entire region of northwestern B.C. When we build new facilities, it strengthens our network of services. A new facility enables improvements in health services, not just in the community it is built, but in the entire area. This new hospital is good news for all the residents of northwestern B.C. and the physicians and staff who provide care here too.”

Barry Pages, chair, North West Regional Hospital District –

“As funding partners in this project, all of us on the North West Regional Hospital District Board and probably everyone in the region couldn’t be happier to hear this magnificent news today. We are so pleased that the construction of a new Mills Memorial hospital will begin and even more excited for when the much-needed, new facility opens its door with expanded and improved services.”