Sechelt Hospital expansion with new Ambulatory Care Unit now complete

The $44.3-million expansion project, first announced in 2007, features a new emergency department, single-patient rooms in the new tower, new medical/surgical beds, more clinical space for ambulatory care and radiology, and the highest standard of infection control.

“We’re happy to celebrate the completion of the Sechelt Hospital expansion project, which is a significant milestone for people’s health-care needs on the Sunshine Coast,” said Nicholas Simons, Powell River-Sunshine Coast MLA, who attended a celebratory event on behalf of Health Minister Adrian Dix. “The new Ambulatory Care Unit means more residents are able to access the treatment and services they need without having to travel to Vancouver.”

The shíshálh Nation donated land for the hospital, which opened at its current site in 1964 as St. Mary’s Hospital. A stunning mural spanning the 70-foot hospital lobby now greets visitors and recognizes the nation’s culture and legacy at the site. In addition, three impressive totem poles carved by Tony Paul and Dion Louie now stand next to the emergency entrance to the hospital.

“Sechelt Hospital’s new Ambulatory Care Unit will not only enhance the patient experience thanks to a larger and brighter space, it will improve our delivery of patient care thanks to the addition of dedicated rooms for services such as chemotherapy, hemodialysis, medical daycare and visiting specialists,” said Karin Olson, Chief Operating Officer, Coastal Community of Care, Vancouver Coastal Health.

The new Ambulatory Care Unit marks the completion of renovations to the old Sechelt Hospital building, the third and final phase of the expansion project. Funding for the expansion project includes:

• $26.25 million from the Province of British Columbia;

• $15.90 million from the Sunshine Coast Regional Hospital District;

• $1.15 million contribution from the Sechelt Hospital Foundation; and

• $1.0 million from the Sunshine Coast Healthcare Auxiliary.

“We have been waiting many years for the completion of the new Ambulatory Care Unit,” said Frank Mauro, chair of the Sunshine Coast Regional Hospital District Board. “Ambulatory care was one of the major items to be addressed in the final phase of the overall project. Now Sunshine Coast residents can receive a better level of care and a reduced need to go off coast for some services.” 

In addition, the Sechelt Hospital Foundation donated a further $1.115 million towards equipment and furnishings for the hospital.

“The community is owed a huge thank you for believing that the best medicine is local, and investing their money here at home,” said Dave Hawkins, chair of the Sechelt Hospital Foundation. “The Sechelt Hospital is an important hub for health care on the coast, so the hospital foundation and our many donors happily share in the celebration of this milestone.”  

The new structures added during the second phase of the project were built to LEED gold standards thanks to a contribution from the province’s Public Sector Energy Conservation Agreement.

Sechelt Hospital is an acute care community hospital located on the Sunshine Coast, serving more than 29,000 people in the communities of Sechelt, Langdale, Gibsons, Roberts Creek, Halfmoon Bay and Pender Harbour. The 50-bed hospital recorded 11,177 visits at the ambulatory care clinic and 15,610 visits at its emergency department in 2016/17.

Vancouver Coastal Health is responsible for the delivery of $3.3 billion in community, hospital and residential care to more than one million people in communities including Richmond, Vancouver, the North Shore, Sunshine Coast, Sea to Sky corridor, Powell River, Bella Bella and Bella Coola. Vancouver Coastal Health also provides highly specialized care and services for people throughout B.C., and is the province’s hub of health care education and research. 

Contact

Matt Kieltyka

Public Affairs Specialist

Vancouver Coastal Health

Phone: (604) 708-5338

Cell: (604) 833-4541

Email: matt.kieltyka@vch.ca