Category Design Show all
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Working groups provide valuable input
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Northern Health is committed to receiving valuable input into design aspects of the new hospital through a mix of engagement initiatives, user consultations, committees and working groups. Engagement is a major part of Northern Health capital projects, and there will be many opportunities for input from the community as this project progresses.
The Dawson Creek and District Hospital (DCDH) Replacement Project has been supported by a Capital Advisory Committee (CAC) since October 2020. The CAC has representation from the local community, stakeholders and Indigenous representatives, and has provided guidance in relation to the project.
We have recently formed two additional sub-working groups to serve under the CAC and provide feedback and input into the design of the new hospital. The two new working groups are the Community Advisory Working Group (CAWG) and the Indigenous Advisory Working Group (IAWG). The purpose of these groups is to have a forum for members to provide input into design aspects of the project to ensure the new facility is locally and culturally safe, welcoming, respectful and relevant. The working groups inform the project to help ensure the facility reflects and supports the communities served by the Dawson Creek & District Hospital. Input and feedback gathered from all of these committees and groups is extremely valuable and we are tremendously grateful for the participation of the members.
Read the April 2023 Project Update to view the current CAWG and IAWG membership lists.
Feedback and input gathered from the working groups is filtered upwards. It first goes to the CAC, then it goes to the Project Steering Committee who, in collaboration with the Project Board, balances the complexities of a capital building project.
In addition to the CAC, IAWG, and CAWG, the project team works closely with small groups of “users” who represent their areas of expertise to gather feedback and input from a clinical point of view. The users work with the Design-Builder during User Consultation Meetings (UCM) and Special Topic Meetings (STM) to help them better understand over-arching concepts, ensure that all departments are situations correctly for the best clinical care and efficiencies and advise on standard operational best practices. Feedback and input gathered from the users is taken back to the Design-Builder for consideration and incorporation.
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What's inside the Quonset hut?
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In mid-October, a mysterious 120’ long by 72’ wide white Quonset hut appeared on the Southwest corner of the current hospital’s property.
We’ve heard a lot of theories about what’s inside the hut… ranging from a storage shed, to a greenhouse, to the set for the next Dexter sequel, to showrooms, to a laboratory. We can confirm that only one of those theories is somewhat accurate and it is showrooms.
Although, the Quonset hut isn’t exactly a traditional showroom as you would think, with brand new shiny pieces of medical equipment and an exact replica of the entire new hospital inside. But – it is constructed rooms with life-size replicas and mock-ups of key areas of the new hospital that we are showing to select groups.
Now you might be wondering, what’s the purpose of installing the Quonset hut? Well, it’s a key component of the ongoing design process and will remain in place until 100% of the design is complete.
Who is able to access the Quonset hut? Only select groups of physicians and health care staff are able to access the hut, which we refer to as “the users”. The users represent their areas of expertise and are selected or appointed to participate in the ongoing design process. The Quonset hut is not open to the public. We understand that you are curious to see what the design of the new hospital will look like. We can assure you that when we’re able to share more details about the design with the public, we will. Stay tuned!
How does the ongoing design process work? It’s broken down into four phases – the 30%, 60%, 95% and 100% design submissions. In September, we received and reviewed the 30% design submission from the Design-Builder. Prior to approving the submission, the Design-Builder delivered the first mock-up in a virtual format with 3D drawings of key areas to help the users visualize features of the rooms and provide relevant feedback. We are now progressing towards the 60% design submission.
On November 14 and 15, the users were guided through the hut for the second series of mock-ups to experience certain design features of each room. The users’ feedback will be incorporated in the 60% design submission.
This mock-up has fully constructed walls with 1:1 prints of elements of the room covering the walls and floors – such as millwork, services, furniture and equipment, IMIT device locations, and power and data receptacle locations.
The rooms included in the second mock-up are:
- Labour, delivery, recovery and post-partum room
- Nursing station
- Medication room
- Soiled utility room
- Exam room
- Emergency – Resuscitation/trauma room
- Emergency – Exam/treatment room
- Medical in-patient bedroom and washroom
- Typical patient room
- In-patient bariatric room
- Isolation room
- Anteroom
The next step in the ongoing design process is the Design-Builder submitting the 60% design submission with feedback from recent User Consultation Meetings and the second mock-up being incorporated. When the project team reviews the 60% design submission, the Design-Builder will begin working towards the 95% design submission.
During the next design phase (60-95%), a third mock-up will be constructed inside the Quonset hut which will build on details from the second and include actual materials and finishes.
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Embedding Indigenous cultural elements into the new Dawson Creek & District Hospital
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In recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we acknowledge the history and legacy of the residential school system, honour the survivors, and remember the children who did not return home. We are committed to acknowledging the long-lasting effects of this history and educating ourselves about the impact it has had on Indigenous peoples, families, and communities.
Northern Health and the Dawson Creek and District Hospital Replacement Project Team are committed to developing and implementing an engagement and communication strategy that is founded on recognition, respect, co-operation, and partnership with local Indigenous communities and partners.
The Dawson Creek and District Hospital (DCDH) serves the communities of the Peace Region, the Treaty 8 First Nations and Kelly Lake Cree Nation. We are grateful to live and work in Treaty 8 territory, on the traditional lands of those Nations represented in the Treaty 8 Tribal Association, the ancestral home of the Sicannie (Sikanni), Slavey, Beaver (Dane-Zaa), Cree, and Saulteau. We also acknowledge Métis Nation BC Citizens and Chartered Communities across the North.
The new state-of-the-art Dawson Creek and District Hospital will be designed to improve the care and healing environment for patients, promote culturally safe care and will be built with feedback gathered from local Indigenous communities, as well as stakeholders in Dawson Creek and surrounding communities.
In the early stages of the project, we formed a Capital Advisory Committee (CAC) in order to gather advice and recommendations on local and cultural considerations, patient experiences, First Nations engagement, culturally appropriate design input, and related topics. The CAC has representation from Saulteau First Nations, West Moberly First Nations, Kelly Lake Cree Nation, the First Nations Health Authority, and Indigenous Health.
Over the coming months we will engage with local Indigenous communities, organizations, and groups for recommendations and advice pertaining to Indigenous cultural values and practices as they relate to capital projects. We will be forming an Indigenous Advisory Working Group (IAWG) which is envisioned to offer a safe space for Indigenous people’s input into design aspects of the project. The purpose of the IAWG is to ensure the new facility is culturally safe, welcoming, respectful and relevant. We will be seeking representation for the IAWG from the Treaty 8 Tribal Association, Saulteau First Nations, West Moberly First Nations, Doig River First Nation, Halfway River First Nation, Prophet River First Nation, Blueberry River First Nation, Fort Nelson First Nation, Kelly Lake Cree Nation, North East Métis Association, Moccasin Flats Métis Society and more.
Before any construction work begins on the land of the new hospital, we will work with local Indigenous communities to honour and recognize the relationship between the traditional territory of the Treaty 8 First Nations and the Dawson Creek and District Hospital Replacement Project.
As the design of the new hospital progresses, we are working closely with the preferred proponent, Clark Builders-Turner-HDR-Architecture (the Design-Builder), to ensure that the new facility is welcoming, inviting, and supportive of the spiritual health of all people and that Indigenous cultural elements are demonstrated throughout the facility. This includes:
- Incorporating features that reflect and represent local Indigenous communities
- Visual representation of Indigenous culture such as artwork, colour schemes, artefacts, landscaping and plants used for traditional healing
- A non-denominational spiritual room to accommodate and support cultural ceremonies, extended family, and multi-generational involvement in care
- Incorporating local Indigenous language, in addition to English, on select exterior and interior wayfinding signage
Note: The graphic used for this story 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.
