Stuart Lake Hospital Replacement - Fort St. James, BC
Project Overview
We are building a new, state-of-the-art hospital in Fort St. James on the territory of the Nak'azdli to address current and future patient care needs.
Triple the size of the existing facility (approximately 6,300 square feet), the new hospital will model excellence in health care, incorporating modern best practices and standards, as well as bringing multiple health services under one roof. The new hospital will improve the healing environment and provide culturally-safe care for residents of Fort St. James, surrounding areas, and local Indigenous communities.
The new hospital will feature:
- 27 beds: 18 community care andContinue reading
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New Beginnings: Celebrating a Successful Move to the new Fort St. James Hospital and Health Centre
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Thank you to all who were involved in the move from Stuart Lake General Hospital! Your care, dedication, and commitment made it a success.
Stuart Lake General Hospital is now permanently closed, and the new Fort St. James Hospital and Health Centre is open.
The Fort St. James Health Centre will be open at the new facility on January 20th.
Stay tuned for more updates. See photos of the move below!
Cailen, our Medical Radiation Tech, joins her colleagues in signing the old sign, marking a memorable moment for the team. 
A member of the hospital relocation team helps staff safely transfer a resident to the new Fort St. James Hospital. 
The team gathers for a celebratory photo after successfully transferring all patients to the new Fort St. James Hospital.
Our lab team, excited to get to work in their new space. -
Important Update: Emergency Department Relocation
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Stuart Lake General Hospital will be permanently relocating to the new Fort St. James Hospital and Health Centre at 606 Stuart Drive East on January 14, 2025.
Key Details:
- Closure of Current Emergency Department: The Emergency Department at Stuart Lake General Hospital will close at 7:00am on Tuesday, January 14, 2025.
- Opening of New Emergency Department: Simultaneously, the Emergency Department at the new Fort St. James Hospital and Health Centre will open for ambulance arrivals and public walk-ins.
What This Means for You:
Starting at 7:00am on January 14, 2025, all emergency care services will be provided at the new Fort St. James Hospital and Health Centre. If you require emergency care, please go directly to the new location.
Transition of Care:
If you are receiving treatment in the Emergency Department at Stuart Lake General Hospital during the transition at 7:00am, your care will continue there. Should you need to be admitted, you will be transferred to the new Fort St. James Hospital and Health Centre.
We appreciate your understanding and cooperation during this transition. Stay tuned for more updates as we prepare for the move.
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Opening Dates for the new Fort St. James Hospital and Health Centre
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This new facility will significantly improve the healthcare services available in the Fort St. James area. It will replace both the existing Stuart Lake General Hospital and the Fort St. James Health Centre, providing a centralized location.
Important Dates to Remember:
- Stuart Lake General Hospital: The move to the new location will take place on January 14, 2025. Please ensure you do not visit the old hospital after this date.
- Fort St. James Health Centre: The move to the new location will occur on January 20, 2025. Similarly, please avoid visiting the old health centre after this date.
Stay tuned for more updates and information as we approach opening day!
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Supporting Families: The New Palliative Care Lounge
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One of the features of the new Fort St. James Hospital and Health Centre is the family lounge connected to the palliative care room. This lounge lets family and friends stay close to their loved ones in a cozy and supportive space. It also has direct access to the outdoor healing garden, a perfect spot for relaxation.
We believe that a warm and welcoming atmosphere is crucial for the well-being of our patients and their families. The healing garden and family lounge are just a couple of ways we are making our facility a place of comfort.
Above: The family lounge connected to the palliative care room, offering a space for loved ones to gather.
Above: A summer view of the healing garden, easily accessible from the family lounge.
We can't wait to welcome the community! Until then, stay tuned for project updates and feel free to ask any questions in the comments below.
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New Fort St. James Hospital and Health Centre Opening in January 2025!
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Great news! The new Fort St. James Hospital and Health Centre is opening this January at 606 Stuart Drive East, right behind the current Stuart Lake Hospital.
This new facility will replace both the Stuart Lake General Hospital and the Fort St. James Health Centre, bringing all healthcare services together in one place.
This week, our team practiced moving patients to the new hospital to make sure everything goes smoothly and safely. Check out the photos from the practice move below!
We can't wait to welcome you to our new facility. Stay tuned for more updates!
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Built to Be Green: Environmental Sustainability at the New Facility
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The new Fort St. James Hospital and Health Centre is designed with a strong focus on energy efficiency and environmental sustainability. Here are just some of the key features that make this facility eco-friendly.
High-Performance Windows
All windows are designed to minimize heat loss in winter and keep the building cool in summer. Energy-Efficient LED Lights
LED lights last longer and reduce waste, contributing to the hospital's overall energy efficiency. Eco-Friendly Materials
The facility protects your health and the environment by using materials with low levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Low VOC products come with environmental and health declarations, guaranteeing their safety and eco-friendliness.Reduced Fossil Fuel Use
The new building uses 50% less fossil fuel per square foot than the current hospital. This is achieved through heat recovery systems, high-efficiency boilers, and a heat pump that recycles air to preheat water. Green Transportation
Green transportation is supported with plenty of bike storage areas and three electric vehicle parking spots. Water-Efficient Landscaping
The landscaping of the Healing Garden and other outdoor areas combines low-water plants with existing vegetation, reducing irrigation water use by 99%. We can't wait to welcome the community in January 2025. Until then, check back for project updates and ask questions in the comments!
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Community Members Star in New Hospital and Health Centre Photo Shoot
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Last week, at the new Fort St. James Hospital and Health Centre, we worked with the team from ZGF Architects to take pictures of the facility before it opens in January 2025! We asked community members to be models and show how the space will be used.
Right now, we are training our staff in the new space and putting on the finishing touches before we welcome patients in the new year.
Check out the behind-the-scenes photos from our photo shoot below!
Lobby
Gathering Space
Reception (left), Long-term care common area (right)
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Honouring Culture: Dakelh Language Signs
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We're excited to share that the new Fort St. James hospital will have signs in Dakelh, the language of the Nak’azdli Whut’en territory.
These signs were made with the guidance of Elders and language experts from the Nak’azdli, Binche, Tl’azt’en, Yekooche, and Takla First Nations.
The opening of this hospital is more than just a new building; it's a chance to reflect on our past and plan for a better future. By using the Dakelh language, we aim to provide culturally safe care to everyone who uses the new hospital.
We can't wait to welcome the community into the new hospital in January 2025! Until then, check back for project updates.
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September Progress Photos
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It's official! We're in the final weeks of the construction stage of the new hospital. Substantial completion is on track for October 8th. Once that milestone is reached, it's full speed ahead to 2025! Furniture will be moved in, staff will get trained in the new space, and we'll be ready to welcome patients in January.
Keep scrolling to see what the facility looks like now.
Front exterior
Accessible parking and electric vehicle spots in front of the facility
Main Lobby
Left: Registration Desk. Right: Hallway with display case for artwork
Emergency Department
Emergency Department
Left: IV room. Right top: Exam room. Right bottom: Emergency signage with English and Dakelh.
Long-term Care
Left: Nurses station, common space. Right: Hallway to resident rooms.
Long-term Care
Hallways to rooms.
Long-term Care
Left: Tub room. Right: Resident room.
Healing Garden
Healing Garden
Healing Garden
We can't wait to welcome the community into the new Stuart Lake Hospital in January 2025. Until then, check back for project updates and let us know what you're most excited for in the comments! -
July Progress Pictures
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Summer fun isn't keeping the Graham Team from moving full steam ahead on the new hospital and health centre in Fort St. James. Keep scrolling to check out this month's updated construction photos!
In the main entrance (pictured left) and lobby, we're starting to see more of the finishing details come together. Glass has gone up at the registration desk (pictured right) and placeholder signage has been added. As pictured in the lobby, display cases are installed and eagerly waiting to be filled with art.
If you've been following along with progress pictures, you've probably seen the main entrance and lobby already. There is another way into the building that we haven't showcased yet: the Emergency Department entrance!
Shown above (left) is the door to the Emergency triage and waiting area. On the right is the new fully-covered ambulance bay. The bay features two garage doors, one for entering with patients, and the other for the ambulance to exit once patient transfer is complete.
The Emergency Department's triage and waiting area are also getting to their final stages. Painting is almost complete and phones have been installed at the desk.
From the lobby, a left turn will take you down this hall to the new Lab area, complete with a passthrough window for easy hand-offs to the technicians. For photos of what the lab looks like inside, check out our progress photos from May. You will also notice that handrails have now been installed throughout the facility's hallways.
The Palliative Care suite is also in its final stages (pictured left). Large double doors connect the patient area to the family area, then out to the future Healing Garden. Early landscaping activities are underway for the Healing Garden, including this freshly-poured concrete (pictured right). Since the new hospital and healthcare centre will open in January, the bulk of gardening will take place in Spring/Summer 2025.
Another area that has seen noticeable progress over the past few months is the Long-Term Care wing. Shown above, the large common area is coming together with the installation of drum lighting and its built-in shelving in the lounge area. The open area underneath the drum lighting (right) will be the dining room for residents and their families. New appliances have now been installed in the adjoining kitchenette (left).
From the Long-Term dining area, residents and their loved ones will be able to access this partially-covered balcony (right). The raised patio will feature seating, gardens, and a beautiful view of the lake!
Individual long-term care rooms are also nearing completion. Even if you don't want to venture to the shared patio, each room features a large window to provide lots of natural light and beauty. The room above features a view of the forest.
We're in the final few months of construction before we get the keys and start moving equipment in and training staff! We can't wait to welcome the community into the new Stuart Lake Hospital in January 2025. Until then, check back for project updates and let us know what you're most excited for in the comments!
