Tens of thousands of British Columbians have passed through its doors, experiencing every conceivable emotion and form of care as they transition through the seasons of life.
Now that very setting is undergoing a transformative shift itself.
Royal Columbian Hospital is the only hospital in B.C. with cardiac, trauma, neurosciences, high-risk maternity and neonatal intensive care on one site. The site is now in the midst of a generational expansion that will assist everything from pregnant mothers to stroke patients to just the sheer volume of space to make it all happen.
As president and CEO of the Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation, Jeff Norris gets a first-hand look at it all: from the moment a piece of equipment is needed, to when it’s in active use and to the best payoff of all – when it changes a life.
The Jim Pattison Acute Care Tower opens in late 2025. What will happen there?
The project, once completed, will revolutionize nearly every aspect of the hospital, ensuring it can better serve the needs of people across BC and the region. The expansion will include additional beds for intensive care, cardiac care, obstetrical and medical/surgical patients. The Emergency Department will be transformed into a larger, state-of-the-art facility with 75 treatment bays and the ‘Ginetic’ integrated satellite medical imaging unit, which means patients can have imaging right where they receive emergency care. A cutting-edge ‘superfloor’ will house more operating rooms alongside advanced interventional radiology and cardiac suites. The maternity unit will also grow, directly connecting to a larger Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and the hospital will be equipped with the latest technologies and equipment to deliver world-class care.
What are the biggest highlights you see for the hospital over the next five years?
The most significant impact will be our ability to increase the number of patients we can treat, and we'll be able to see them closer to home. Our overall bed capacity will increase by 50%, reaching a total of 675. The hospital will be able to provide better care for patients due to the concentration of specialists in one location. Additionally, we will be able to offer care in unique ways that can't be found elsewhere. The services at the hospital have always been world-class, and now, with a facility to match, our caregivers will be able to expand services and offer a combination of care not seen anywhere else in B.C.
What drives you and your team to do this work?
Donors frequently walk through our doors to share powerful stories like, “My wife’s life was saved thanks to something funded through the foundation.” These deeply moving accounts serve as constant reminders of the profound impact donors have on healthcare.
We are privileged to hear firsthand from the patients whose lives have been directly transformed. With every story we hear and through our close collaboration with the hospital, we remain focused on serving the best interests of patients. We see ourselves as the natural bridge where donors' generosity meets the hospital's most urgent needs.
To learn more about the redevelopment of Royal Columbian Hospital and how you can support its transformation, visit rchfoundation.com/critical/.
