Friday January 15, 2021 | PORT ALBERNI, BC [Current photos of the hospital added January 18, 2021]
by Mary P Brooke, editor | Island Social Trends
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, perhaps the urgent need for improvements for at the West Coast General Hospital in Port Alberni came more to light.
Although the project to improve the emergency department facility development was apparently in the works in 2015 but put on hold, plans were reportedly resurrected in 2017. Yesterday the Request for Proposal for a Construction Manager went out from the BC Ministry of Health, and so the action is on.
Construction is expected to begin in March 2021 with completion in summer 2022.
The announcement was made at a teleconference today by Health Minister Adrian Dix along with new MLA for Mid Island-Pacific Rim, Josie Osborne, who was previously on the West Coast General Hospital board and is the former mayor of Tofino. She said today’s progress forward “just wouldn’t be possible if we hadn’t come together in this way”, referring to collaboration of various community stakeholders and partners including West Coast General Hospital Foundation, Alberni-Clayoquot Regional Hospital District, Island Health and the BC Ministry of Health.
Now as the Minister of Municipal Affairs, Osborne’s home-town area is seeing one of the first perks of MLA influence in the renewed BC NDP government. The snap provincial election in October 2020 was a game changer that produced an NDP majority government to govern for the four-year election.
A $6.25-million emergency department redevelopment will support improvements to patient care and privacy at West Coast General Hospital. Minister Dix today was excited about the improvements that will provide greater privacy and better patient flow.
That will be possible through things like the addition three more patient exam beds, extra space for patients awaiting tests and results, a private safe seclusion room for patients in need of emergency mental health care, improvements to the triage and admitting area, as well as separate entrances for ambulances and the general public.
Improvements long overdue at aging facility:
Today Minister Dix said the original hospital was designed at the beginning of the 20th century.
“The current West Coast General Hospital has served the people of the Alberni-Clayoquot region well since 2001. However, upgrades are needed so the hospital can continue this high level of care for people for decades to come,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health.
“Our government is proud to support this project that will enhance patient-centred care in Port Alberni and area.”
“Like many things, this has taken too long but we are going (ahead now)!,” said Dix with enthusiasm in today’s media call.
The redevelopment will include a 244 square-metre (2,626 square-foot) expansion, as well as improvements to the existing emergency department space.
Community input:
“West Coast General Hospital is an important part of the community and region, and is also very busy with more than 25,000 patient visits to the emergency department in 2019-2020 from not only Port Alberni, but also Tofino, Ucluelet, Bamfield and surrounding areas,” said Josie Osborne, MLA for Mid-Island-Pacific Rim.
“It’s great to see action being taken to upgrade the emergency department, which will improve patient privacy and make it easier for larger family groups to accompany their loved ones,” she said.
The project’s costs are being shared between the Province, which is providing $2.55 million; the West Coast General Hospital Foundation, which has pledged $2 million and the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional Hospital District, which will contribute $1.7 million.
Leadership comments:
- Leah Hollins, board chair, Island Health said in a news release: “We are grateful to the Province, West Coast General Hospital Foundation and the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional Hospital District for their support of this project. We are pleased to be a part of this partnership to support excellent health care in the region.”
- Chris Francey, business director, West Coast General Hospital Foundation said in a news release: “Expanding and improving the emergency department at West Coast General Hospital is critical not just for Port Alberni, but all of the West Coast communities. This is a significant pledge for our foundation, but we believe it is the right thing to do for all of the families who will need the services of this hospital in the future.”
- John McNabb, chair, Alberni-Clayoquot Regional Hospital District said in a news release: “The emergency department is a busy place, and the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional Hospital District is very pleased to support this renovation. We know it will greatly benefit patients in the years to come.”
