Construction has begun on Vanderhoof’s new integrated primary and community care centre, next to St. John Hospital.
“This project is a major step in renewing the health-care infrastructure that northern communities rely on,” said Bowinn Ma, Minister of Infrastructure.
“By building a modern primary care centre right on the local hospital campus, we’re creating a facility that will support people in Vanderhoof and other rural communities and provide access to the kind of care that improves lives and keeps people healthy.”
The new facility will replace the current Omineca Medical Clinic in Vanderhoof, and will provide significant improvements for care providers and patients, with:
* increased space and a better layout
* better accessibility and patient privacy
* a central location on the hospital campus, where primary health-care services can be provided
* quicker and improved access to team-based care
The total anticipated cost of the project is $35.8 million. It is being jointly funded by the Province through Northern Health and the Stuart-Nechako Regional Hospital District. The district is providing $7.2 million, while the Province is funding the remaining $28.6 million.
The facility is expected to serve approximately 9,000 people once operational in 2028, and it will have capacity to support as many as 11,000 to address the community’s projected needs and growth.
“In the North, health care isn’t just a service, it’s about partnerships and building for the future of the community,” said Colleen Nyce, board chair, Northern Health.
“I’m incredibly proud of what this project represents: a commitment to improving access to primary care for residents in the Omineca region and to the people who make Vanderhoof a strong and resilient community.”
Construction kicked off last month and is expected to be complete in spring 2028.
“The district board is pleased to see this important infrastructure investment coming to Vanderhoof,” said Judy Greenaway, chair, Stuart-Nechako Regional Hospital District board. “Primary care services are the foundation of healthy communities, and this new facility next to the St. John Hospital in Vanderhoof will be a key component of health-care delivery in the region.”
By co-locating physicians and nurse practitioners from different work teams and facilities, the primary care centre will ensure more people in Vanderhoof and northern and rural communities can access care.
“The integrated medical facility is a project that has been developed over a number of years with the purpose of providing exceptional and efficient care to our diverse and rich community in a modern facility where allied health professionals can all come together under one roof, for years to come,” said Dr. Davy, physician lead for the project.
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