Burnaby Hospital renewal project moves forward

BURNABY - Continuing to deliver on the government's strong commitment to renewing infrastructure in British Columbia, the Province, in partnership with Fraser Health, is moving forward with a concept plan for the renewal of key facilities within the Burnaby Hospital campus.

"The dedicated staff at Burnaby Hospital provide outstanding care for local patients every day," Health Minister Terry Lake said. "Today's announcement is a key step toward an upgraded facility that will further strengthen hospital services in the region and demonstrates Fraser Health's and the Province's ongoing commitment to patient-centred care."

The announcement follows a master planning process outlining a 10-year plan intended to guide decision making for clinical services and improvement of the hospital over the short and long term. This process involved input from Burnaby Hospital physicians, staff and regional clinical stakeholders.

"We are pleased to work with Fraser Health and build on plans for Burnaby Hospital," said Richard T. Lee, MLA for Burnaby North. "This is an integral step to a renewed hospital for our community and we're excited to move this project forward."

The concept plan will define the scope and budget of the project, from which a more detailed business plan can be created prior to project implementation. The concept plan will be limited to current infrastructure deficiencies and current service demand requirements at Burnaby Hospital, including expansion or renovation of the emergency department, surgical and diagnostic services and replacement of some in-patient beds.  Timing of the renewal project will be determined through the business planning process.

The development of the concept plan will take into consideration the hospital's role as part of a network of facilities delivering care for the citizens of the Burnaby area and the entire Lower Mainland. The ministry is doing a review of services across the Lower Mainland to determine how they can work better as a system for patients. This work is particularly important in the context of the many newly planned capital projects, including the redevelopments of St. Paul's Hospital and Royal Columbian Hospital, to ensure services are integrated in a way that supports the Province's vision of patient-centred care.

Once the concept plan is complete, the next step is the development of a business plan.

"This is very exciting news for the patients and staff at Burnaby Hospital," said Sheila Finamore, executive director, Burnaby Health Services and Burnaby Hospital. "Planning is already underway for a mental health zone in the emergency department and enhanced out-patient services to allow for better access to patients and better use of the space at the hospital."

"We are delighted with this news," said Cheryl Carline, president and CEO, Burnaby Hospital Foundation. "Burnaby Hospital Foundation is proud to have supported many capital improvements at the hospital, including over $400,000 toward the Supertrack expansion and $600,000 to develop Burnaby Hospital's new endoscopy suite. Most recently, our donors have stepped forward to support the emergency mental health and substance-use zone currently in the planning stages. We are looking forward to working with our partners on these exciting new developments for our hospital."

Since 2001, Fraser Health has invested more than $31 million for major capital improvements to enhance patient care at Burnaby Hospital including:

• The expansion of the Emergency Supertrack, providing patients with minor ailments faster access to emergency care;
• Enhancements to the endoscopy suite allowing additional procedures to be performed
• Upgrades to medical device reprocessing; and
• Adding an operating room, bringing the total number to seven.