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05/08: UHNBC lab and medical imaging renovations to support enhanced cancer care
Prince George, BC - Lab and medical imaging renovations at the University Hospital of Northern British Columbia (UHNBC) will help to support the expanded services required once the BC Cancer Agency Centre for the North is opened.
“Today is another significant milestone in the Northern Cancer Control Strategy,” said Prince George-Valemount MLA Shirley Bond. “The start of these renovations at UHNBC helps us to move one step closer in the development of new cancer services for the North and bringing care closer to home for local patients and their families. The renovations are necessary as we build the Cancer Centre, but will provide benefit to the hospital as well."
These service enhancements are part of the two-phased $8.3 million Northern Cancer Control Strategy (NCCS) renovation project at UHNBC. Phase One includes the lab and medical imaging renovations, which are expected to be completed by early 2011. Phase Two will focus on the development of six oncology beds which will begin once the new cancer centre is opened.
“One of the goals of the Northern Cancer Control Strategy is to improve the quality of cancer care in Northern B.C.,” said Prince George-Mackenzie MLA Pat Bell. “These Phase One renovations will enable UHNBC to more fully support the BC Cancer Agency Centre for the North in such areas as blood collection, diagnostic testing, and specimen analysis.”
Phase One of the project at UHNBC includes renovations to provide extra space (including a very small addition onto the existing hospital), new clinical equipment, and upgrades to the physical plant building site so it can service both the needs of the hospital and the new cancer centre.
“These upgrades to UHNBC will play a key role in the ongoing operations of the new Centre for the North and will also improve its general hospital lab and medical imaging workflow,” said Dr. Charles Jago, Northern Health board chair. “We look forward to continuing our ongoing work with the BC Cancer Agency and the Provincial Health Services Authority on the Northern Cancer Control Strategy.”
The Fraser Fort George Regional Hospital District is funding 40 per cent of the total project costs.
"We are very pleased to be a part of such an important project,” said Regional Hospital District Chair Stephanie Killam. “Cancer is a disease that touches so many, and the initiatives of the Northern Cancer Control Strategy are helping to provide a new era in cancer care for our region.”
As a key component of the NCCS, the Centre for the North will be the sixth regional cancer centre operated by the BC Cancer Agency in the province. The new centre, once opened, will bring various new cancer services to the North, including radiation therapy. The construction of the centre will be completed by September 2012.
“Northern Health and the BC Cancer Agency share a common goal, which is the delivery of quality cancer services in the North,” said Dr. David Levy, president of the BC Cancer Agency, an agency of the Provincial Health Services Authority. “These hospital improvements will greatly benefit our new centre when it opens, and they are an example of how our partnership continues to improve cancer care for Northerners.”
The Northern Cancer Control Strategy is an ongoing partnership between Northern Health, the BC Cancer Agency, and the Provincial Health Services Authority. The initiative aims to ensure quality and further development of the following cancer services: prevention, screening, diagnostic services, treatment, supportive, and palliative care.
The BC Cancer Agency, an agency of the Provincial Health Services Authority, is committed to reducing the incidence of cancer, reducing the mortality from cancer, and improving the quality of life of those living with cancer. It provides a comprehensive cancer control program for the people of British Columbia by working with community partners to deliver a range of oncology services, including prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment, research, education, supportive care, rehabilitation and palliative care. The BC Cancer Foundation raises funds to support research and enhancements to patient care at the BC Cancer Agency. www.bccancer.bc.ca
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Media contacts:
BC Cancer Agency – Sonya Kruger, Communications Specialist, 250 649 4873
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