Premier Clark announces redevelopment of Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops
By Contributor
Premier Christy Clark today announced the first phase of the redevelopment of Royal Inland Hospital, which includes a new clinical services building, medical teaching space and more onsite parking.
"I know that the future of Royal Inland Hospital is an important issue to the region to meet the growing and changing needs of families," said Premier Clark on the government website.
"That's why we are moving forward with this multi-phased redevelopment project."
The first phase of redevelopment includes constructing clinic space for some outpatient services that could house cardiology, neurology, renal and respiratory programs.
The building could also provide teaching space for the UBC medical school program. Construction will also include more onsite parking and improved vehicle and pedestrian access to the hospital.
The first phase of redevelopment is estimated to cost $80 million and will be shared with the Thompson Regional Hospital District. Detailed construction costs will be determined when the business case is approved in early 2013, and construction is expected to begin in late 2013.
In June 2011, Interior Health completed a master site plan for Royal Inland Hospital which will be used to guide future development at the site. The plan highlighted priority areas requiring expansion and redesign, including hospital site access and parking, surgical services, in-patient areas and ambulatory care.
In addition to the new clinical services building, a series of potential phases include:
- Constructing a surgical inpatient building.
- Demolition of the Alumnae Tower and construction of a new parking structure on that site.
- Creating a new dedicated emergency entrance and improving onsite parking.
- Constructing a new inpatient/outpatient building as well as renovating specific areas within the existing hospital.
To proceed with future work, the site requires redevelopment of roadway access routes to the facility, the establishment of pedestrian pathways and better parking infrastructure.
"Interior Health is committed to providing quality care, and today's announcement that the provincial government is moving forward with redevelopment at Royal Inland Hospital will ensure health professionals will continue to provide outstanding care that area residents have come to expect, " said Interior Health chair Norman Embree.
Since 2007, about $80 million in investments have been at Royal Inland Hospital. This includes $27.5 million for second floor redevelopment and new MRI, $17 million for Hillside Centre mental health facility, $11 million to relocate the intensive care unit and $10.75 million for medical device reprocessing department redevelopment.