Category Hospital Highlight   Show all

  • Hospital Highlight: Palliative Care

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    Early on in the conversation about the new Stuart Lake Hospital, when we were first talking to community and Indigenous leaders from Fort St. James and the surrounding area about palliative care, we learned from you that end of life is a time for community and family to gather. We heard that space is necessary to accommodate all those who come to witness death, to pay their respects, and to grieve together; we heard that death is a time to follow protocol, to call on ceremony and connection to see us through the time of death and to see those we love leave this world and move on. We are grateful for the stories you shared and for how generously we were welcomed to experience death with you and to learn from you so we can do better.

    Because of the teachings offered us and the care shown by the community, we have been able to create a palliative suite at the new Stuart Lake Hospital that will be a welcoming and comforting space when end of life times come. Some of the features of this space are described below.

    With windows and doors to the outside and views to the lake and the forests, the palliative care area has access to a garden full of local, culturally significant plantings and spaces where people can gather and sit together.










    The palliative care area also includes a patient room and a family lounge area. In the lounge, chairs and a table are available, as well as seats that recline for sleeping, a family washroom, and a fridge and microwave to use to ensure you feel comfortable during your visit.


  • Hospital Highlight: A Sign of Appreciation

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    Building a hospital is a community endeavour, and in the case of the Stuart Lake Hospital Replacement Project, it's been one many community organizations and individuals have worked toward for years.

    Recently Northern Health created a sign to acknowledge community partners and installed it at the hospital site. It's a small gesture to say thank you for the support and efforts of our partners, but it represents enormous appreciation.

    We are so grateful for the hard work of the community - all of those who worked to get the project off the ground during the planning phases, and all those who continue to work with us on the project to this day - your support is vital to the project and will impact health care in the Stuart Lake area for years to come.

    We thank you, even more than a sign can say.


    Signs in place in front of the Stuart Lake Hospital on a sunny December day. Thanks to Greg Marr, SOO NI Rural, for the photo




  • A Blessing for the Land

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    On Friday, May 27, 2022, in pouring rain, a small ceremony was held on the grounds of the Stuart Lake Hospital. Led by Jolene Prince of Nak’azdli Whut'en, the ceremony blessed the ground, the current and future hospital buildings, the health of those who contribute to health care in the community and those who seek healing at the Stuart Lake Hospital.

    A small group representing partner Indigenous Nations, Northern Health staff and leaders, physicians, and groups who contributed to the planning and building of the new hospital assembled for the blessing. Prayers and hopes for the new hospital, for its staff, physicians, and patients were spoken by all, and appreciation for the collaboration and hard work required to organize and build the hospital were expressed.

    This quiet occasion acknowledged the hard work of community and partners over many years to bring this project to the threshold of construction. Many more opportunities to connect and celebrate lie in the future.

    Keep track of updates to the hospital replacement project here, at Let’s Talk, and on Facebook. Reach out with questions to LetsTalkSLH@northernhealth.ca. Stay in touch and stay tuned for milestones to celebrate and opportunities to connect.

    Wilf Adam, Northern Health Board Member, joins Jolene Prince in prayers for a culturally safe and healthy hospitalElders from Nak'azdli, Tl'azt'en and Binche Nation came together with community members and NH staff for the ground blessing ceremonyBetsy Dennis of Binche


    Greg Marr, SOO Northern Interior Rural and Co-Chair of the Stuart Lake Hospital Replacement Project, and Binche Health Director Carrie NashPrimary Care Society Chair Ann McCormick drumming

    Councillor Dr. Paul Stent has worked in health care in Fort St. James since 1988 Doreen Austin from Tl'azt'en honoured the ceremony with song