Press Release
NORTH COWICHAN – People in the Cowichan Valley are closer to a modern hospital as significant milestones have been reached, including the land transfer and the issuing of a request for proposals (RFP).
“Now more than ever, we recognize the critical importance of our health-care system, and our commitment to replace Cowichan District Hospital acknowledges the priority we place on timely access to high quality health-care services close to home,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health. “These key milestones bring us closer to getting shovels in the ground to bring the very best health-care facility to the growing communities of the Cowichan Valley.”
Two qualified teams, Alliance Care Partners and EllisDon + Parkin, have been shortlisted to participate in the next stage of the competitive selection process to design and construct the hospital. An RFP has been issued to the shortlisted participants. This is Phase 1 of a two-phase RFP process, which is expected to culminate in a preferred proponent in early 2022.
On March 25, 2021, in a cultural ceremony led by Cowichan Tribes, the Cowichan Valley Regional Hospital District (CVRHD) transferred the land slated for the new hospital to Island Health. In keeping with the traditions of the Cowichan people, the ceremony was held to create a positive path forward and acknowledge their enduring connection to the land. As part of the land transfer, Island Health purchased three land parcels totalling 9.22 hectares (22.8 acres) on Bell McKinnon Road in North Cowichan from the CVRHD for about $3.4 million.
The new hospital is anticipated to be about 46,000 square metres (496,000 square feet), nearly three times larger than the current facility. The scope of the project includes 201 acute inpatient beds. This is up from 134 in the current facility.
The emergency department will triple in size and accommodate 42,000 visits a year. The number of treatment spaces will increase from 17 to 36, with two trauma bays, rapid access and discharge space, fast-track streaming space and a dedicated acute psychiatric space with two seclusion rooms.
There will be an increase of three operating rooms, for a total of seven, with one operating room dedicated to C-sections.
Medical imaging will include increased CT scanning capacity and built-in magnetic resonance imaging.
Mental health services will include a 17-bed inpatient psychiatry unit with access to secure outdoor space and a four-bed psychiatric intensive care unit.
A new birthing unit with capacity for 10 maternity beds and a nursery for families and new moms will be included. The new labour, delivery, recovery and postpartum maternity care model will provide mothers with a place to give birth and stay in the same room with their infants until they are discharged.
Culturally safe services and spaces will be incorporated into the new hospital to accommodate traditional healing practices, cultural ceremonies and room for loved ones to support patients during stays.
The hospital will be a training site for medical students and residents in the University of British Columbia Island Medical Program.
There will be 800 parking spots, about double the number of current spaces.
Area upgrades will include storm water management, access to bus routes, provision of bike lanes and paths to promote green transportation.
The project is the first major health capital project to be delivered under the Community Benefits Agreement, which increases training and employment opportunities on the construction site for apprentices, locals, Indigenous peoples and under-represented groups such as women and youth who want a lifelong career in skilled trades.
Construction is anticipated to begin in 2022, and the new hospital is expected to open for patients in 2026.
The total project budget is $887.4 million, shared between the Province through Island Health and Cowichan Valley Regional Hospital District, with support from Cowichan District Hospital Foundation.
Learn More:
To watch a video about the land transfer ceremony, visit: http://www.islandhealth.ca/newcdh/news
Two backgrounders follow.
Contacts:
Ministry of Health
Communications
250 952-1887 (media line)
Andrew Leyne
Media Inquiries
Island Health
Andrew.Leyne@viha.ca
250 370-8908
BACKGROUNDER 1
What people are saying about the new Cowichan District Hospital
Chief William Seymour, Cowichan Tribes –
“We are very happy to announce the new hospital will be built on the unceded traditional territory of Cowichan Tribes. We look forward to working with everyone to build a facility that is welcoming for all, and an environment that is culturally safe for all communities and a place of healing and health. Huy tseep q’u.”
Sheila Malcolmson, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions –
“It will be a game changer for people who need mental health care that we’re developing the Cowichan District Hospital with them front of mind. Together, we’re building a system where treatment for mental health is on par with any other health condition. I’m grateful to everyone involved in making this development a reality.”
Doug Routley, MLA for Nanaimo-North Cowichan –
“This is very exciting news for the region, as we are on the cusp of a new Cowichan District Hospital being built. I thank all those who have made this project happen and look forward to seeing shovels go in the ground.”
Aaron Stone, chair, Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRHD) –
“The residents of our region are very pleased to see this critical project moving forward. We want to thank our provincial partners and Island Health for their work to make the new district hospital a reality. I am proud to have served with successive CVRHD boards that have continued the work of our predecessors, setting aside appropriate financial reserves and purchasing the property for our new hospital. It is with many thanks to previous CVRHD leadership and the many medical professionals and community members that we continue working to deliver first class health and wellness programs across our region.”
Leah Hollins, board chair, Island Health –
“The replacement of Cowichan District Hospital has been a labour of love for our project partners and many dedicated community members, staff and local physicians who have advocated and planned to make this a reality for many years. It is an honour to take these important steps alongside our project partners and Cowichan Tribes, whose members have stewarded these lands and waters since time immemorial.”
Rob Hutchins and Denise Williams, co-chairs, Our Cowichan Communities Health Network –
“A new Cowichan District Hospital has been a primary goal of Our Cowichan Communities Health Network for over a decade. We applaud the partnership between the Province of B.C., Ministry of Health, Island Health, First Nations, the CVRHD, the Cowichan Hospital Foundation, Our Cowichan and all the community agencies that have helped make the land acquisition and construction of the new hospital possible. Congratulations to you all on these exciting next steps.”
Jerry Doman, chair, Cowichan District Hospital Foundation –
“This is wonderful news for people living across the Cowichan Valley. The foundation is looking forward to supporting the project by ensuring patients and staff have access to top notch equipment that enables local care teams to provide the highest-calibre health services and care in our community.”
Dr. Brendan O’Malley and Dr. Tracey Stephenson, co-chairs, Cowichan District Medical Society –
“The Cowichan District Medical Society welcomes these milestones, which bring us closer to a new hospital and a chance to refresh our relationships with the Cowichan Valley. Our society is supportive and grateful for the tremendous amount of work our members have put into this collaborative project. We humbly look forward to listening, learning and growing with our community and Indigenous partners as we build strong relationships to facilitate wellness and safety for our community. We look forward to a facility that will meet the needs of our population for years to come.”
Al Siebring, mayor, Municipality of North Cowichan –
“Today’s announcement is an exciting one for everyone in North Cowichan and beyond. The municipality committed to the new hospital location by rezoning the land in 2016, and with each milestone we are closer to seeing this monumental project come to life, one that residents have waited many years for, and I am honoured to be a part of it.”
Linda Zabok, patient partner, Cowichan District Replacement Project –
“As a patient representative on the hospital replacement steering committee, I can attest to the passion and commitment of those working to make our hospital and health care better for families in our communities. I’m excited to hear that a new hospital and improved health system are now within reach, and I encourage others with lived experience to participate in this work as opportunities arise.”
Contacts:
Ministry of Health
Communications
250 952-1887 (media line)
Andrew Leyne
Media Inquiries
Island Health
Andrew.Leyne@viha.ca
250 370-8908
BACKGROUNDER 2
Facts about the new Cowichan District Hospital
The consortium parties invited to participate in the request for proposal (RFP) phase consist of:
Infrastructure BC is managing the procurement on behalf of Island Health and will remain involved with the project during the construction phase.
BC Infrastructure Benefits (BCIB) will implement the Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) for the project and work with, and in, the community to build awareness about employment and training opportunities taking place during the construction phase.
Upon completion of the new hospital, the existing facility will be decommissioned and opportunities for future use of the Gibbins Road site will be explored in consultation with the community.
All new hospitals in B.C. are planned to a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold standard at minimum.
Contacts:
Ministry of Health
Communications
250 952-1887 (media line)
Andrew Leyne
Media Inquiries
Island Health
Andrew.Leyne@viha.ca
250 370-8908
IHT5