People in the south Okanagan will soon benefit from improved access to cancer care, thanks to the upgrades to cancer treatment facilities at Penticton Regional Hospital.

“So many people have been affected by cancer in some way,” said Bowinn Ma, Minister of Infrastructure. “The upgraded Community Oncology Network clinic will make it easier for people in the Okanagan to access the cancer treatment and care they need, closer to home with the support of their families and loved ones.” 

The newly renovated and expanded Community Oncology Network clinic at 550 Carmi Ave., Penticton Regional Hospital, will open on Monday, June 23, 2025. Three times larger than the previous space, the clinic will help reduce wait times, provide greater privacy for patients and meet the increasing demand for cancer care.  It also offers modern equipment, more comfortable and accessible facilities, and a better working environment for staff.

“Dignity is important when patients and their families are going through a traumatic time in their lives, but now they can do it in an area everyone deserves,” said Barb George, a recent patient and a volunteer at the hospital. “The new area will make it better for all the oncology staff members to complete the various treatments required for each individual in a more spacious and updated area, while they are helping people through their healing process.”

Josie Osborne, Minister of Health, said: “This new, modern clinic will help patients and their loved ones heal. The upgraded space will support collaborative, team-based care leading to better outcomes for patients and a better work environment for care providers.”

The $22-million expansion project was cost-shared between the B.C. government, Interior Health, the Okanagan-Similkameen Regional Hospital District and the South Okanagan Similkameen Medical Foundation.

The expanded Penticton Regional Hospital Community Oncology clinic is a part of B.C.’s 10-Year Cancer Action Plan, which sets out immediate steps to improve cancer prevention, detection and treatment. The plan aims to deliver better care for people facing cancer, while building capacity to meet the growing needs of the future. 

Learn More: 

To see the Penticton Regional Hospital oncology unit video, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBAWEi2Igek

To read the original funding announcement on Oct. 18, 2022, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2022HLTH0196-001529

To learn more about B.C.’s 10-Year Cancer Action Plan, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2023HLTH0012-000229 

For more information about health capital projects in B.C., visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/accessing-health-care/capital-projects

A backgrounder follows.