NEW HAIDA GWAII HOSPITAL AND HEALTH CENTRE OPENS

MASSET – Residents of northern Haida Gwaii will receive better care in a new facility designed to reflect local architecture and heritage. Combining hospital services, residential care beds, assisted living units and community health programs, the Northern Haida Gwaii Hospital and Health Centre was officially opened today.

Health Services Minister George Abbott, Old Massett Chief Councillor Elizabeth Moore, Old Massett Hereditary Chief Iljauwoss, Masset Mayor Barry Pages, Port Clements Mayor Cory Delves, North West Regional Hospital District board chair Tony Briglio, Northern Health CEO Cathy Ulrich, health professionals, guests and local residents were on hand to celebrate the opening of the new facility.

“This new, modern hospital and health centre ensures that residents of northern Haida Gwaii receive quality health-care services,” said Abbott. “Local communities have come together on this important project to help sustain health services for years ahead.”

The 2,280-square-metre, single-storey building is designed so that the inpatient care wing overlooks Masset Harbour. The building is wood frame and heavy timber to emulate local architecture and to provide a system that is economical and fits with its surroundings.

The Province of British Columbia, through Northern Health, the North West Regional Hospital District and the Villages of Old Massett, Masset and Port Clements partnered to develop the new $10.99-million centre that replaces the older Masset Hospital. In the partnership agreement:

· The regional hospital district contributed $4.25 million in capital funding;

· The three villages funded $5.7 million towards the construction costs; and

· The Ministry of Health Services, through Northern Health, provided a capital contribution of $1.04 million.

“This grand opening is the culmination of many years of work by the three communities to improve the delivery of health care in our area,” said Pages. “The Villages of Masset, Old Massett and Port Clements had a vision to create a new health facility and were able to work together to move that vision forward in partnership with the Northwest Regional Hospital District and Northern Health.”

The new facility brings together various local heath-care services under one roof. These include four acute care beds, four residential care beds, public health, home and community care, mental heath and addictions, emergency and diagnostic imaging. Additionally, co-located with the hospital, there is an assisted living unit that will provide four units, under the Independent Living BC program, to seniors and young adults with disabilities.

“This is the first partnership of its kind in British Columbia. It has provided best value for taxpayers’ dollars, while supporting innovation and creativity in the creation of this new health facility,” said Briglio. “This is a significant step for the northwest and it demonstrates just what can be achieved by working together.”

Two former Northern Haida Gwaii residents were honoured with naming recognition for different parts of the new facility. The Grace Frost Acute and Complex Care Area and the Alfred Adams Community Health Services Area recognize, in memoriam, the contributions of these long time area residents to health care initiatives in the region. The name recommendations were brought forward in consultation with various community representatives who provided their input for consideration.

“This new facility will greatly enhance the delivery of health care in Northern Haida Gwaii,” said Charles Jago, chair of the Northern Health board. “It provides a modern facility in which health professionals can deliver a range of services to meet local resident needs.”

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Media contact:	Bernadette Murphy Media Relations Manager Ministry of Health Services 250 952-1887 (media line) 250 213-9590 (cell)	Sonya Kruger Communications Officer Northern Health 250 565-2130

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