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| Backgrounder(s) & FactSheet(s): | Backgrounder |
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| Backgrounder(s) & FactSheet(s): | Backgrounder |
KELOWNA – A preferred proponent has been named to work with Interior Health and the Provincial government in negotiations as part of the next steps needed toward expanding Kelowna General Hospital and Vernon Jubilee Hospital.
Infusion Health was selected as the company that the province will enter negotiations with to design, build, finance and maintain the expansion of Kelowna General Hospital that includes a new outpatient hospital, new emergency department and Clinical Academic Campus for a new faculty of medicine and expansion of Vernon Jubilee Hospital to include a new diagnostic and treatment building.
“We are continuing to work to move the project forward to expand Kelowna and Vernon hospitals,” said Health Minister George Abbott. “Across the province, we are investing in major capital projects to upgrade existing facilities build new infrastructure to ensure we continue to meet demand for quality and sustainable health services.”
Infusion Health was selected to enter into negotiations after an extensive evaluation of proposals from the three teams who were short-listed and invited to submit proposals.
“We are seeing record levels of improvements in new and existing health-care infrastructure across the province, including Vernon,” said Okanagan-Vernon MLA Tom Christensen. “A new diagnostic and treatment building at Vernon Jubilee Hospital will bring together existing programs in a more efficient facility that will enhance patient care now, as well as allow for future expansion.”
“The new outpatient hospital is part of our commitment to providing Okanagan area residents with state-of-the-art health facilities,” said Kelowna-Lake Country MLA Al Horning. “The need to construct a new emergency department is clear to everyone, and the designation of KGH as a Clinical Academic Campus will support our efforts to recruit and retain the best health care professionals.”
“The selection of a preferred proponent is part of the competition selection process as we work to move the project forward,” said IHA Chief Executive Officer Murray Ramsden.
A fairness advisor, Joan Young of the law firm Heenan Blaikie, was appointed to monitor the procurement process and to ensure it was undertaken fairly and followed the requirements outlined in the RFP. The fairness advisor’s report will be publicly available on Partnerships BC’s website as soon as it is completed, at www.partnershipsbc.ca.
The next stage in the process is to
conclude negotiations with Infusion Health. If the process is successful, then
a project agreement is expected to be signed in the summer.
All health services will be funded by the Province of B.C. through Interior Health, in keeping with the principles of the Canada Health Act.
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contact: |
Communications Director Ministry of Health 250 812-5571 (cell) 250 952-1887 (media line) |
Communications Officer Interior Health 250 862-8209 250 801-1741 (cell) |
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For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca. |
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