By Ethan Ready

Hospital Upgrade

Concept plan for new care tower and cardiac unit announced for UHNBC

Sep 20, 2020 | 2:16 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – The Province, along with the treasury board, has approved a concept plan for a new patient care tower and cardiac care unit at the University Hospital of Northern B.C.

Minister of Health Adrian Dix made the announcement Sunday afternoon regarding the Prince George facility.

At the stage of the concept plan, Dix stated that the dollars associated with the project look to be in the range of $600-million to $700-million, making it the largest capital project in Northern Health.

According to Dix, the current operating rooms inside the hospital date back to the 70s and are insufficient, which has resulted in longer wait times for patients at the hospital.

Spring Snow

Special weather statement issued for Pine Pass, Peace region with 'moderate to heavy snow' expected

51m ago

Taber, Alta., named Hockeyville winner over Tumbler Ridge, B.C.

4h ago

Spruce Kings 4 Rivermen 2

Spruce Kings scored four unanswered to even playoffs series against Langley

4h ago

“There was a profound need for an upgrade project at UHNBC, which has become a major hospital in British Columbia,” said Dix.

During the announcement, the minister stated that approving the concept plan marks a significant step, adding he can’t think of a single project where the concept plan has been approved and hasn’t moved forward.

At the moment, UHNBC does not have the capacity to provide invasive cardiac procedures, resulting in many patients needing to travel to Vancouver or Kelowna.

Dix acknowledged Prince George-Valemount MLA Shirley Bond for her efforts in advocating for this project over the years.

“This project is essential for our region. I appreciate the regular discussions and debate we had and the announcement today,” Bond said in a post to her Twitter page.

The current hospital building was built back in 1958.