By Kendall Robertson

University Hospital Of Northern BC Expansion On The Horizon

Dec 4, 2017 | 3:12 PM

Northern Health board members approved to send a concept plan to the Ministry of Health for a new University Hospital of Northern BC facility this afternoon. The proposed plan will redevelop surgical, mental health and addictions, and cardiac care units. “We will be looking to have it modernized, much of that space is very congested and in a new facility we would be building them to modern standards,” said Northern Health CEO and President, Cathy Ulrich,”it would be a much better place for patient care and also for our staff and physicians who are trying to provide care to patients in those areas.”

A new surgical tower was a commitment from the Liberal government earlier this year and once the NDP government took over, the new health minister agreed an upgrade was needed. “I had visited operating rooms in 2008 that were seen as too small and insufficiently modern for both the demands and the ambitions of the hospital here,” said Adrian Dix during his visit to Prince George in July. “I understand there are some initial plans being made and obviously we will be supporting Northern Health as they go through that,” Dix added.

Northern Health will submit the draft to the Provincial Government for refining, from there a business plan will be made, and final approval will take place. There is no estimate on a timeline or cost as the project is still in the initial stages.