Where we’re at

Despite the ups and downs in temperature, through snow and wind, and on the occasional welcome sunny day, construction continues to advance at the site of the new Stuart Lake Hospital. Staff, patients, and visitors to the hospital have seen great change from the windows, as we’ve gone from a spruce forest to a forest of rebar and concrete. From a hole in the ground back in the fall to foundations, walls and miles of orange tarp, the replacement hospital is becoming a reality.

Weather hoarding and tarping of work surfaces for concrete pours continues, and waterproofing and damp proofing work is ongoing. Suspended slab pours began in November and continue when the weather permits. Despite a closure from December 24 to January 4, progress is right on track with below grade utilities and site services infrastructure. Structural Steel fabrication is underway and we happily anticipate site work starting mid-February.

Project schedule

Like all project schedules, timelines can be impacted by any number of factors and thus are subject to change. That said, the SLH replacement project is on time in terms of overall construction and design.

The 100% Design Submittal has been under review by Northern Health since its submittal in November 2022. Graham recently delivered a supplement 100% Design Submittal which has been reviewed by NH and sent back with comments.

If all goes as planned, the current schedule sees the building substantially watertight by this fall. This means we’ll be on schedule for the opening and operation of the new hospital in 2024. This will be followed by the demolition of the old hospital, and the creation of new parking and culturally significant gardens and landscaping in its stead, and project completion in 2025!

Next steps and upcoming milestones

Engagement

New renderings from the 100% Design Submittal are expected in the next few weeks so we can better picture the hospital as it will appear in real life. Renderings are subject to change, but as engagement ramps up in the new year, opportunities will arise for the public to take a peek at the prospective hospital design. It will also allow us to hear what you say, gather feedback, and deliver it back to the project team.

We are very excited for 2023’s community engagement opportunities. Some of these will include:

• Public displays at multiple locations in Fort St. James where people can view the renderings and plans for the new hospital
• A joint event at Fort St. James Senior Secondary School with NH Recruitment to introduce students to employment pathways in health and the many opportunities that will exist in the new hospital
• Open houses for health care workers and the public (dates and venues yet to be determined) in Nak’azdli and Fort St. James. These will be a highlight of our engagement year and a chance to connect in person
• Health and education fairs, community or employment event? We are available! And we’ll travel. Get in touch if you’d like us to present to your organization or be present at your event.

For more information

Employment Opportunities at SLH

A new hospital with more beds, expanded lab and diagnostic imaging, and a Primary Care Clinic means a great number of positions to fill. Jobs in housekeeping, food services and maintenance will be available, as well as technician positions, nurses and care aids, to mention only a few.

With construction underway, we are thinking about how to staff the new facility to ensure that health needs of the community are met. We are also thinking about the benefits of staffing the hospital from the community – some people are credentialed and ready to go into the positions available, and some are looking to start down the path to employment, and a new hospital is a great opportunity for all.

To start your education journey to a job in health care, connect with employment contacts at Northern Health Recruitment or contact the Stuart Lake Hospital Site Manager. Go to Let’s talk to discover what jobs are available and how to access the education and support to get you there.

Stuart Lake Hospital Replacement Project Let’s Talk

Let’s Talk is our one-stop shop for everything related to the Stuart Lake Hospital project. Not only does this site have regular project updates, but it is also a place where you can provide feedback and thoughts on the project. We are always looking to connect and to hear from you! Please stay in touch and keep your questions coming.

Stuart Lake Hospital Let’s Talk

Stuart Lake Hospital Replacement Project construction camera

We’ve installed a construction camera that you can access to see what’s going on at the site! Follow along to see the progress and watch the new hospital take shape.

Click on the link on the Let’s Talk Page (or here: Stuart Lake Hospital Construction Camera) for a bird’s eye view of construction anytime you like.

Contact us directly

For questions, feedback, or to get added to the distribution list for these updates, feel free to reach out directly to us at:

LetsTalkSLH@northernhealth.ca

Employment Opportunities at SLH

A new hospital with more beds, expanded lab and diagnostic imaging, and a Primary Care Clinic, means a great number of positions to fill. With construction underway, we are thinking about how to staff the new facility to ensure that health needs of the community are met. We are also thinking about the benefits of staffing the hospital from the community – some people are credentialed and ready to go into the positions available, and some are looking to start down the path to employment, and a new hospital is a great opportunity for all.

Jobs such as housekeeper, cook, food service worker and facility maintenance will be available, as well as positions such as registration clerk, Imaging Tech, Medical Lab Tech, Lab Clerk, and Care Aid. Positions for licensed Practical Nurse and registered nurses will also be available, as well as many positions in the Primary Care Clinic, which will be housed in the new hospital. Jobs in Primary Care include Medical Office Assistants, Primary Care Assistants, Community Health Worker and Rehab Assistant. Mental Health Clinician, Social Worker, Occupational Therapist and Physical Therapist are also positions that will be available, as well as a position for a Nurse Practitioner and, of course, Physicians.

To start your education journey to a job in health care, connect with employment contacts at Northern Health Recruitment or contact the Stuart Lake Hospital Site Manager.

The Site Contact for Stuart Lake Hospital Replacement Project is Ildi Polgar. She can be reached at: ildiko.polgar@northernhealth.ca

Northern Health Recruitment Inquiries can be sent to: nhjobs@northerhealth.ca (please note: don't send your resume to this email, instead apply online at expectmore@northernhealth.ca)

Indigenous Health Contact is Ryan Dirnback who can be contacted at: ryan.dirnback@northernhealth.ca

Fort St. James Primary Care Recruitment and Inter-professional Team Recruitment can be accessed by contacting:

Jamie Fraser at Primary Care Recruitment: jamie.fraser@northernhealth.ca

Nicole McVey can be contacted for Primary Care Inter-professional Team Member Recruitment: nicole.mcvey@northernhealth.ca

And as always, you can connect here at Let's Talk as well. Leave a message or give us a call - we can talk to you one-on-one or present to your group about the new hospital and the opportunities it presents for individuals and the community. Get it in touch! We're always happy to hear from you.

Although I spend as much time in Fort St. James and Nak'azdli Whut'en as I can, for the most part I'm based on Lheidli T'enneh territory in Prince George, and when I just can't take any more of the city, I sneak a peek at the construction camera to see what the weather's doing and where we're at with construction. It's a pleasure to see the lake in the background and the trees that surround the site, and it's fascinating to see a hospital being built from the ground up. It's amazing to have a front row seat on change.

Little by little, with the work and organization of many, a hospital is growing, and it's no paltry project - even if Mills Memorial Hospital in Terrace will have 78 beds to our 27, it's no less impactful for our community. How we access health care, whether it's for a check-up at the Primary Care Clinic or for emergency services, where we go for help is changing, and that's a big deal.

This year, we'll bring you along for the view. We'll be posting a snapshots of the hospital project to keep you in the loop. You can join me in the front row to watch the new Stuart Lake Hospital appear, concrete pour by concrete pour, until it's time for the patients and staff to move in and for the old hospital to come down. Come along for the ride! And send your feedback. We'd love to hear from you: LetsTalkSLH@northernhealth.ca

Stuart Lake Hospital Replacement Project on a sunny Sunday morning in January 2023

The new year is a great time to get to know the team! It takes a lot of organization and thoughtful oversight to manage a new hospital build, as well as many hands and minds. Consider this your first introduction to some of the members of the Stuart Lake Hospital Project Team!

Project Director – Anthony Radman (photo to come)

As the Stuart Lake Hospital Project Director, Anthony leads the design and construction of the new hospital. Anthony is a Project Director at Infrastructure BC with over 20 years experience in the public and private sector. He has managed and led the procurement and implementation of large infrastructure projects in the accommodation, healthcare and utility sectors. He has also managed and led the design, procurement and implementation of mixed-use (commercial/residential), and multi-family residential projects in the private sector. Anthony holds a Bachelor of Business degree from BCIT Polytechnic University and also the Project Management Professional (PMP) designation.

Anthony's first impressions of Fort St. James have stuck with him - the close-knit nature of the town, with its friendly, warm people has had an impact that's only intensified over time. Anthony leads the project from Vancouver, but you can expect to see him in Fort St. James regularly.

Clinical Lead – Ildi Polgar (photo to come)

Not only is Ildi the Site Manager at the Stuart Lake Hospital, she is the Clinical Lead on the new hospital project. Responsible for liaising between the staff and Design-Builder, providing clinical input into the design, incorporating clinical processes to ensure consistency, and facilitating user group meetings to hear and respond to feedback and input from clinicians throughout the duration of the project, Ildi’s input will have a major impact on the clinical details of the new Stuart Lake Hospital. Although a relatively new transplant to Fort St. James, Ildi is a committed member of the community whose love for the place and the people who live here shines through.

Finance Lead – Deb Taylor

Deb is responsible for the project's financial budgeting and reporting and will review anything with financial impacts, including scope changes. All of our financial needs and wants will be analyzed by Deb. She holds her CPA, CGA designation, and has been in the accounting field for over 20 years, with 11 years at Northern Health supporting various areas such as Home and Community Care, Program Councils, and currently, Capital Projects.

Information Management Information Technology Lead – Richard Bygrave

Richard brings 40 years of IMIT experience to the project. This ranges from desktop support in Fort St John, Team Leader for the Acute Care Applications support team in Prince George and Project Management for various hospital builds. His broad, well-rounded experience will help the team manage changing technology in our ever-increasing digital world. In his off-time Richard enjoys exploring the back country whether on ATV or horseback.

Communications Lead – Mark Hendricks

Mark leads the planning and implementation of communications processes for capital projects across the Northern Health region. This includes public engagement, stakeholder and government relations, media relations, special events, online (social media and web) communications, and emergency communications. Mark previously worked in Medical Affairs where he worked with Physicians and Medical Staff to ensure they were informed and able to contribute to NH policy. Mark is based in Prince George.

Community Engagement Liaison –Jill Wigmore

Jill joined the team in January 2022. Working alongside Communications Lead Mark Hendricks, Jill supports the communications needs of the project with a focus on community engagement. Her work includes strategic communications, partnership development, public engagement, and the promotion of awareness and understanding of the project in the community. Jill is a long-time resident of both Prince George and Fort St James with a background in writing, community engagement and Information Sciences.

Parking at the Stuart Lake Hospital has always been a bit of a challenge. In a small lot, where the parking lines are obscured for up to eight months of the year, it can be tricky to decide where to safely stow your truck or car.

You'll be happy to hear that once the new hospital is built, parking is and will remain free at Stuart Lake Hospital, and given the lot is gaining size and stalls, it's definitely going to be easier to park for the duration of your visit to the facility.

85 new parking stalls will be provided, and the plan for the meantime includes keeping as much of the existing parking available by requiring the contractor to make alternate parking arrangements for their workers.

3 of these new stalls will be wheelchair accessible, with above ground signage and access avenues on either side. These sites are the closest of all the parking spots to the front doors to ensure easy access and the safety of visitors.

There will be a period of time when the old hospital is demolished that parking will be constrained once again, but a portion of the new parking area, including the wheelchair accessible sites, will be available to the public and staff.

We still have to contend with winter conditions and an icy lot for a good portion of the year, but rest assured, when the new hospital is here, parking will be a lot easier.

Let us know what you think! Your comments and questions are always welcome.

It's hibernation and holiday season, and you'll notice work slow down during the seasonal festivities, both on-site and for the Project Team. Here's hoping you have time to rest and relax, to ready yourself for the new year, and to look forward to good things as the days get longer and the winter progresses.

We wish you happy holidays and a healthy new year! Stay warm on these cold days and nights, and stay tuned for more updates on the Stuart Lake Hospital Project in 2023.

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 new, state-of-the-art hospital is a large incentive to help drive recruitment and retention for Fort St. James. Planning for staff at the new hospital has already begun with much discussion around recruitment strategies and the number and mix of staff that will be required.

While this is being determined, Northern Health is looking at nearly doubling the number of full time employees for the Stuart Lake Hospital.

Northern Health recruiters are working in partnership with the physicians, the Primary Care Society, the community and the First Nations Health Authority to attract and retain physicians and staff in Fort St James. We are in partnership with local schools to develop workers from within community.

We know that employment opportunities will be available in a number of areas in the new hospital, including:

• Housekeeper
• Cook
• Food Service Worker
• Stores Attendant
• Facilities Maintenance
• Registration Clerk
• Imaging Tech
• Medical Lab Technologist
• Lab Clerk
• Care Aid
• Licensed Practical Nurse
• Registered Nurse
• Primary Care Assistant
• Medical Office Assistant
• Community Health Worker
• Rehabilitation Assistant
• Mental Health Clinician
• Social Worker
• Occupational Therapist
• Physical Therapist
• Nurse Practitioner
• Physician

As opening day comes closer, expect updates here at Let's Talk and at the Northern Health Recruitment on how to apply. Don't hesitate to get in touch with us if you have questions, ideas or concerns. We welcome your input!

Stuart Lake Hospital Replacement Project Update - November 2022

Where we’re at

It’s been a busy summer for the Stuart Lake Hospital (SLH) Replacement Project! Since our last quarterly update, construction is truly underway – foundations have been poured and basement columns are rising. A visit to the site in August greeted us with this view:

August, On-site Stuart Lake Hospital Replacement Project

And fall has brought even more progress (see October photo below), with crews looking forward to starting on structural steel construction in the new year.

October, On-site Stuart Lake Hospital Replacement Project

Project schedule

Like all project schedules, timelines can be impacted by any number of factors and thus are subject to change. That said, the SLH replacement project is on time in terms of construction and design. The 100% Design Submittal is expected this month.

Next steps and upcoming milestones

Engagement

Regular updates on Let’s Talk Northern Health are the backbone of communications for the SLH replacement project. Connecting with the community is fundamental to the success of this project. We want to keep you informed and celebrate milestones together.

Lately, community engagement has broadened to include participation in health fairs and community events. It’s here, face-to-face with those who will access the new hospital, that we get the opportunity to connect, to share information on the new hospital, and hear community thoughts and ideas.

Keeping staff, clinicians, and physicians informed is paramount to the project. Internal communications include this update as well as handouts developed specifically for the project. These colourful, informative documents are regularly updated and distributed. They’re available at the Stuart Lake Hospital and the Primary Care Clinic, to keep community, staff and physicians in the loop and aware of the progress of the new hospital.

The Cultural Safety Working Group (CSWG - established to make sure the new hospital is culturally safe and welcoming for all), continues to meet, and the newly formed Community Advisory Working Group (CAWG) expects to meet soon. The CSWG includes members of all the First Nations groups local to the area, including Nak’azdli Whut’en, Yekooche First Nation, Binche Whut’en, Tl’azt’en First Nation and Takla First Nation. The CAWG consists of community groups and local interest groups whose unique experiences of health care inform the project on safe access, welcoming design, artwork and specific health considerations faced by these communities.

For more information

Stuart Lake Hospital Replacement Project Let’s Talk

Let’s Talk is our one-stop shop for everything related to the Stuart Lake Hospital project. Not only does this site have regular project updates, but it is also a place where you can provide feedback and thoughts on the project. We are always looking to connect and to hear from you! Please stay in touch and keep your questions coming. Stuart Lake Hospital Let’s Talk

Contact us directly

For questions, feedback, or to get added to the distribution list for these updates, feel free to reach out directly to us through Jill Wigmore, our Community Liaison Officer for the Stuart Lake Hospital Replacement Project at Gillian.wigmore@northernhealth.ca or at LetsTalkSLH@northernhealth.ca

Stuart Lake Hospital Replacement Project construction camera

We’ve installed a construction camera that you can access to see what’s going on at the site! Soon you’ll be able to click on the construction camera link on this page to follow our progress anytime you like.

On the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, as it is every day, it’s important for us at Northern Health to reflect on our values of empathy, respect, collaboration and innovation in the context of cultural safety, and to check in with ourselves that we’re truly acting on reconciliation.

For NH Capital Projects, including the Stuart Lake Hospital (SLH) replacement project, this means developing a Capital Advisory Committee (CAC) early in the project that includes representatives from local First Nations. Members of all five First Nations local to Fort St. James have influenced the project from the beginning.

To support the work of the CAC, special working groups are struck as the project progresses. Like the Mills Memorial Hospital (MMH) project’s Indigenous Advisory Working Group, the SLH project is supported by a Cultural Safety Advisory Working Group (CSWG), which ensures awareness and understanding of cultural safety for Indigenous people in a healthcare setting, and addresses design and cultural practices that should be taken into account in a new hospital build.

The CSWG has created space for conversations that are far-reaching, enlightening, and meaningful for those involved. They have been particularly educational for the SLH project team. Stories shared with us by Indigenous partners in Takla, Yekooche, Tl’azt’en, Binche and Nak’azdli have broadened our understanding of issues facing Indigenous people seeking health care in Northern BC. The stories and ideas shared with us remain the property of the people who share them, but their influence on the new hospital in Fort St. James is clear; conversations around cultural safety, cultural practices, and ceremony have resulted in a larger Palliative Care Room with access to the outdoors, and the ability to smudge in both the Palliative Care Room and the Spiritual Space. Enabling the barrier-free ability to practice culture and tradition in our new capital builds at Northern Health is critical.

Committees and working groups are some of the tools we use to connect with the communities we serve, however, developing real relationships is the only way to make sure health care needs are safely and appropriately met. Often, reconciliation stops after acknowledgement, and while acknowledgment is essential for moving forward, action is vital to the process of building relationships. For this project, we have partnered with Nak’azdli Band Members for a ground blessing ceremony prior to construction starting at the site, and we have been privileged to attend community events such as National Indigenous Peoples Day at Kwah Hall in Nak’azdli, and to take part in health fairs in Yekooche and Takla. These are opportunities to meet with the communities and hear concerns, ideas and personal experiences of health care face to face. We are grateful for these opportunities and don’t take our inclusion lightly.

Northern Health is committing to actions to improve the care we provide. Conversations are on-going in the community and at the Cultural Safety Working Group Table. Health care is a partnership, and your feedback is always welcome. Stay in touch with us here and in person. We look forward to sharing progress on this and other Capital Projects on our Let’s Talk pages, in the media, and maybe over a cup of tea.

Note: The graphic was specially designed by Gitxsan artist Cori Johnson for Northern Health to recognize National Truth and Reconciliation/Orange shirt day. Read more about the graphic and the artist here: https://stories.northernhealth.ca/stories/ndtr-ms-teams-background-staff