A bigger and better emergency department at Prince Rupert Regional Hospital is open so more patients can receive greater access to emergency care.   

“This state-of-the-art emergency department is a major step forward in delivering high-quality emergency care and creating better working conditions for staff,” said Bowinn Ma, Minister of Infrastructure. “With expanded trauma and triage areas and design improvements that support patient flow and privacy, we’re investing in the health-care facilities that communities need.”

The modernized emergency department will improve patient care and help attract and retain health-care professionals in the region. Upgrades include:

• A new registration area and main lobby will improve patient flow in a modern environment.
• A larger triage and trauma area will provide a bigger patient assessment and treatment area.
• Improved high acuity unit rooms provide enhanced infection prevention-control measures and better patient privacy.

Funding for the upgraded emergency department includes $9.9 million from the Province and $6.6 from the Northwest Regional Hospital District. The joint $16.5-million investment reflects a unified approach to meeting the community’s growing need for high-quality, accessible emergency services.

The Prince Rupert Regional Hospital is located on the territory of the Tsimshian First Nation. Northern Health worked with the local First Nation throughout the project to ensure the newly renewed emergency department is welcoming and culturally safe. The hospital serves as the primary health-care facility for more than 30,000 residents in the north coast, including surrounding municipalities and many remote and First Nations communities. It provides essential services such as 24/7 emergency care, in-patient treatment, surgical procedures, medical imaging and laboratory diagnostics, and is often the first point of contact for critical and urgent medical situations.

“Everyone deserves timely health care close to home and delivering that for people across the province is one of our top priorities, which is why I’m so thrilled the new Prince Rupert emergency department is now open,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health “Patients deserve high-quality care in modern surroundings and health-care workers should have access to the latest life-saving technology, and this new emergency department will provide people in Prince Rupert and area with greater access to these services.”

The upgrades to the emergency department at Prince Rupert Regional Hospital are part of government’s work to improve and expand access to health-care infrastructure in communities throughout B.C.

Quotes:

Debra Toporowski, parliamentary secretary for rural health —

“Every family deserves access to quality emergency care, no matter where they live. With this significant redevelopment in Prince Rupert, we are taking concrete action to reduce wait times and provide compassionate, modern care to the dedicated people of the north coast. This is how we build a healthier, more resilient future for all of B.C.”

Tamara Davidson, MLA for North Coast-Haida Gwaii —

“Emergency care is essential for families in our region, providing life-saving treatment when it’s needed most, close to home. The new emergency department will improve access to critical health services, ensure residents receive the high-quality care they deserve and attract new doctors and health-care staff to the area. This investment will make a real difference in the lives of people throughout our community.” 

Colleen Nyce, board chair, Northern Health —

“I am so pleased to be able to welcome staff, physicians and patients into this new and improved emergency department. This new space will help to ensure that those living in Prince Rupert have access to high-quality care in a new, state-of-the-art department.”

Barry Pages, chair, North West Regional Hospital District —

“The North West Regional Hospital District supports the investment of a new, modern emergency department at the Prince Rupert Hospital to ensure that residents of the north coast get the best services possible and that the working conditions for employees of the hospital are safe and modern.”

Quick Facts:

• The emergency department at the Prince Rupert hospital serves an average of 43 patients a day with approximately 16,000 visits per year.
• Prince Rupert Regional Hospital opened in 1971 and serves the communities of Prince Rupert, Port Edward, four coastal Tsimshian communities and Haida Gwaii.

Learn More:

To read more about services at Prince Rupert Regional Hospital, visit: https://www.northernhealth.ca/our-communities/prince-rupert/health-services-at-a-glance

To read more about Northern Health, visit: https://www.northernhealth.ca/