Shovels are going in the ground for a new BC Cancer centre that will deliver expanded cancer care and treatment for people in Nanaimo and nearby communities.
“The new BC Cancer centre in Nanaimo will transform cancer care for people across central Vancouver Island,” said Bowinn Ma, Minister of Infrastructure. “This facility is a generational investment in health care for the central Island. It will deliver better care for cancer patients for many years to come by providing vital services closer to home, so patients won’t have to travel long distances for treatment.”
Located on the Nanaimo Regional General Hospital site, the new BC Cancer centre is expected to open in 2028 and will offer cancer treatments, such as radiation therapy and chemotherapy, all in one location.
The new three-storey centre will include:
16 treatment bays and two treatment rooms for systemic therapy administration and consultations with care teams;
advanced imaging tools, including CT and PET/CT scanners, to help doctors find cancer and plan treatment more precisely;
an oncology ambulatory care unit with 12 exam rooms, four consult rooms and space for medical physicists and radiation therapists;
four linear accelerator vaults used to safely deliver radiation treatment;
more parking, including a parkade and surface lot; and
a new oncology pharmacy designed to meet the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities standards.
“I am thrilled about the new BC Cancer centre breaking ground in Nanaimo,” said Joanne Falvai, a cancer survivor. “When I received radiation treatment, our family had to relocate from Qualicum Beach to Victoria for seven weeks. Cancer can take so much from you – you and your family need all the love, care and support you can get to focus on your health and what’s in front of you each day.”
Once the cancer centre opens to patients in 2028, it is expected to host 11,000 patient radiation consults and followup appointments annually. In its opening year, the centre is expected to provide approximately 20,000 treatments for as many as 1,600 patients. This will save patients and their families time, stress and the burden of long-distance travel during care.
The new facility will be operated by BC Cancer in partnership with Island Health. The estimated cost of the project is $311 million, shared between the Province, through Island Health, the Nanaimo Regional Hospital District and the BC Cancer Foundation.
This is a part of more than $730 million that is being invested to support the growing population in the region. The investments have contributed to more than 60 health-care capital projects, including the newly opened urgent primary care centre, a new intensive care unit, high acuity unit and a new MRI machine at the Nanaimo Regional General Hospital.
“The new BC Cancer centre in Nanaimo represents a milestone in health care on Vancouver Island,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health. “By bringing advanced, integrated cancer treatment closer to home, we are not only improving access for patients and families, but also supporting them through some of the most challenging moments of their lives.”
This project is part of the work to improve and expand health-care services for people in Nanaimo and throughout B.C.
To view the funding announcement, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2024HLTH0049-000576
To learn more about B.C.’s 10-Year Cancer Action Plan, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2023HLTH0012-000229
For more information about health capital projects in B.C., visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/accessing-health-care/capital-projects
To learn more about the new BC Cancer centre in Nanaimo, visit: https://www.bccancer.bc.ca/about/projects-priorities/nanaimo-cancer-centre
A backgrounder follows.
Sheila Malcolmson, MLA for Nanaimo-Gabriola Island –
“We all want people in Nanaimo to get the health care they need, especially at a time of critical illness. A cancer diagnosis is stressful, but with the work underway on a new BC Cancer centre in Nanaimo, more people can count on good care in their own community, surrounded by their friends and family.”
George Anderson, MLA for Nanaimo-Lantzville –
“The BC Cancer centre in Nanaimo will set a new standard for cancer care across Vancouver Island. Equipped with state-of-the-art technology and designed for patient comfort, it will shape the future of health care by providing seamless, innovative treatments that meet the evolving needs of our community.”
Stephanie Higginson, MLA for Ladysmith-Oceanside –
“This centre represents the future of cancer care for central and northern Vancouver Island. By bringing integrated, cutting-edge treatments closer to home, it will improve patient outcomes and quality of life, ensuring that no one has to choose between care and convenience in their journey toward healing.”
Leah Hollins, board chair, Island Health –
“We know that as Nanaimo’s population continues to grow and as residents age, cancer care is going to become increasingly complex in the years ahead. With construction now underway on the new cancer centre at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital, people in the region will benefit from some of the latest cancer-fighting technologies and advances. Today marks an important day in our goal of improving the health and well-being of the people of central Vancouver Island.”
Dr. Paris-Ann Ingledew, interim executive vice-president and chief medical officer, BC Cancer –
“We are thrilled to be working with our partners to build a new BC Cancer centre in Nanaimo that reflects our commitment to compassionate, patient-centred and culturally safe care close to home, supported by family, friends and loved ones. This groundbreaking marks a significant milestone, and we can’t wait to open our doors and provide expanded care to families in central Vancouver Island.”
Sarah Roth, president and chief executive officer, BC Cancer Foundation –
“Today’s groundbreaking marks a major leap forward for cancer care on Vancouver Island. Through the BC Cancer Foundation’s $10-million fundraising campaign and the generosity of our donor community, we’re helping ensure BC Cancer-Nanaimo is equipped with the latest technology, so more Island patients can receive world-class care close to home, supported by their families.”
Janice Perrino, chair, Nanaimo Regional Hospital District –
“Once the new cancer centre is ready to welcome patients, it will provide hope for better health outcomes to the approximately 3,500 central and north Island residents diagnosed with cancer each year. We are deeply grateful to the Government of British Columbia for recognizing the urgent need for a cancer centre in Nanaimo, one that will help shorten wait lists, reduce the burden of travel to other regions for treatment and offer patients more care options closer to home. We look forward with great anticipation to the day the doors open on this vital new facility.”
Ministry of Infrastructure
Media Relations
250 880-1112
Island Health
Media Relations
250 668-3098
