NEW WESTMINSTER, B.C. — Construction has started on the next phase of work to redevelop Royal Columbian Hospital in New Westminster.
The phase includes construction on an acute care tower.
“This project will increase the hospital’s capacity by approximately 50 per cent, help ease congestion, introduce advanced medical technologies and enhance the working environment for health-care workers,” said Adrian Dix, minister of health, in a statement. “The work being done will make sure people continue to get the public health care they need for current and future generations at B.C.’s oldest hospital.”
The tower will add beds for intensive care, cardiac intensive care and surgical patients. The plans include a new, larger emergency department with a satellite medical imaging unit, with two radiology suites, an ultrasound suite and a CT scanner. Officials explained this will enable patients to have multiple diagnostic procedures without needing to exit the emergency department.
The tower adds four more operating rooms, including one for cardiac patients and three more cardiology suites.
In addition, Phase 2 will provide more maternity beds and maternity operating rooms.
The design also provides the hospital with a two-level underground parkade and a rooftop helipad.
The province expects construction work to create 3,600 jobs.
“This is an exciting day for our community. When our loved ones need care, we rely on Royal Columbian Hospital and our health-care workers to keep us safe and healthy,” said Jennifer Whiteside, MLA for New Westminster. “Work is officially underway on site for the next phase of hospital redevelopment, and the associated construction jobs will also be a large boost to the local economy.”
Work is expected to be completed in 2025.
The entire three-phase project is estimated to be worth $1.49 billion. It is being funded by the provincial government, Fraser Health and the Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation.
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