On March 12, 2025, we hosted a community open house for the Dawson Creek & District Hospital (DCDH) Replacement Project, welcoming over 50 enthusiastic community members who were interested in learning about the exciting developments of the new hospital. The event was a fantastic opportunity for attendees to connect with project team representatives, ask questions, and share their thoughts on the future of health care in our region.

The President of Métis Nation BC, Walter Mineault, kicked off the event with inspiring opening remarks. He expressed excitement for the new hospital and emphasized its crucial role in serving our community and attracting health care professionals to the region. His words resonated deeply with everyone present, setting a positive tone for the evening.

Throughout the evening, the room buzzed with meaningful conversations. Attendees engaged with project team representatives, discussing various aspects of the new hospital, and sharing their hopes and expectations. The sense of community and collaboration was noticeable, making the event truly memorable.

We also encouraged attendees to share their thoughts and input about the new hospital with us. Here are the common themes from the engagement boards:

What services/features are most important to you in the new hospital?

The most important services and features highlighted include adequate staffing, which was the most frequently mentioned. Many emphasized the need for enough staff to keep the emergency department open 24 hours a day and to have more doctors available. The importance of a fully functional emergency department was also stressed, along with the need for an ambulance bay capable of handling multiple ambulances at once. Supportive services and programs for mental health and addictions were commonly mentioned, as well as the necessity of having medical imaging to avoid costly private services. Additionally, advocacy for patients who need to travel for care to other communities was another recurring theme.

What is one word to describe how you want the new hospital to look and feel?

Community members want the new hospital to have a modern appearance and a welcoming atmosphere. The need for state-of-the-art facilities was frequently mentioned, along with the importance of having well-marked directions to various departments.

How will the new hospital benefit the community?

The new hospital is expected to provide significant benefits to the community. Many community members highlighted the importance of single-occupancy rooms for improved patient care. The need for more space and beds was frequently mentioned, along with the expectation that the new hospital will help recruit and retain medical staff, indicating its importance to the community.

What are you most excited about with the new hospital?

Community members are most excited about the state-of-the-art medical equipment that the new hospital will have. The prospect of having more doctors who will stay in the community was another common theme. Increased bed capacity and the availability of more medical imaging devices were frequently mentioned. Additionally, there was excitement about not having to travel to Fort St. John for services.

We were also thrilled to have generous door prizes donated by local businesses, including Deep Physio, True North Fitness, South Peace Chiropractic, Dawson Creek Golf & Country Club, City of Dawson Creek, and Dawson Creek Health Food Centre. These contributions added a special touch to the event, and many attendees left with wonderful prizes.In addition, the DCDH Foundation launched a new raffle and the DCDH Auxiliary launched a new fundraising campaign.

The DCDH Foundation’s "Gift of Flight Raffle” offers a chance to win a roundtrip flight for two to any regularly scheduled WestJet destination. For more details and to purchase tickets, visit https://dchospitalfoundation.rafflenexus.com.

The DCDH Auxiliary’s “Sock It Away” campaign is for the purchase of a Tovertafel machine for Rotary Manor. The Tovertafel is a projector that provides a variety of interactive games designed to improve the quality of life for dementia patients. They are fundraising for $19,500 for each machine. As a small group of dedicated volunteers, each and every donation is greatly appreciated. To learn more, visit: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100078961200394

We are incredibly thankful to everyone who took the time to attend and contribute to the success of the Open House. Your support and enthusiasm are invaluable as we move forward with this important project.

Stay tuned for future events, as we hope to host another open house next year! We look forward to continuing this journey together and making a positive impact on health care in our community.