Good question. Labour and delivery are major life events, and for many individuals and families this is a time of pregnancy with lots of uncertainty. Gathering tiny shirts and socks, finding a car seat or someone to watch the other kids are are some of the necessary preparations for a new baby, and for many families in Northern BC, travel is a factor that must be taken into account as well. This will continue to be the case for families and individuals in the Stuart Lake area.

For folks in Fort St. James and the surrounding communities, deciding to have a baby in the Stuart Lake Hospital wasn't an option since the hospital couldn't accommodate labour and delivery complications. Although a labour and delivery room will be part of the new hospital, these are to accommodate emergency and unexpected deliveries, where transportation to Vanderhoof or Prince George is not possible.

For those of us living in this area, Vanderhoof's St. John's Hospital and UHNBC's Maternity Care Unit will continue to be where we labour and deliver. While traveling from home to give birth is not ideal for some, knowing the diversion hospitals are there and ready for you is some comfort.

Thank you for your questions, and please keep them coming. We want to hear from you.

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.

View of the SLH site from Junkers St.

Folks with their eyes open for change at the Stuart Lake Hospital site will have noticed a mysterious orange object smack in the middle of construction. Right now it's a curious, brightly coloured beacon against a winter landscape, but the orange object, once unwrapped and revealed, will be recognizable as the elevator shaft, a vital constructional element of the new hospital.

View of the construction area from SLH deck

Elevator shafts act as a structural backbone to a building to which other elements connect. The elevator in the Stuart Lake Hospital allows access to the basement level, where the electrical and maintenance areas are found, as well as the Morgue and the Quiet Room.

Up close and personal with the elevator shaft

Watch as the hospital continues to take shape, and stay tuned here for more information on the specific areas of the hospital and what you can look forward to once the new build is complete.

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