Dawson Creek and District Hospital Replacement – Dawson Creek, BC

Hello, thank you for your question!

A new state-of-the art hospital is a large incentive to help drive recruitment and retention for Dawson Creek and the Northeast. Throughout the project, current and future staffing needs are being considered and there have been many discussions around recruitment strategies. 

Northern Health Recruiters work in partnership with physicians and the South Peace Emerging Division of Family Practice to attract and retain physicians in Dawson Creek. We will actively recruit staff, physicians and specialists to cover the expansion of services at the new DCDH. 

We are optimistic that we can recruit and maintain a sustainable health care workforce that offers quality care.

Hello, thank you for your question! There will not be a blood donor unit in the new DCDH.

The Canadian Blood Services is responsible for providing blood, plasma, as well as transfusion and stem cell registry services, on behalf of all provincial and territorial governments. For donor centre hours and locations, visit https://www.blood.ca/en/blood/donor-centre-hours-locations.

Hello, thank you for the question! It may be best if you contact BC Transit to see how often they review their current service routes and if they would take this feedback into consideration. With that being said, Northern Health plans to engage with them as the project is more advanced to suggest this potential route change be considered to service the new hospital.  

Hello, thank you for the question!

The new hospital will not have an intensive care unit (ICU). The high acuity unit (HAU) accepts, stabilizes, and provides advanced care and a range of services for the most acutely ill or injured patients that require more intensive nursing services. The HAU will continue to operate 24/7 in the new facility. The rooms are being designed similar to in-patient rooms but they will have a ventilator and one-on-one nursing, as required. 

Hello, thank you for the question! There will be a separate driveway entrance to the new hospital off of 112 Ave, located between 12 St and 9 St. We plan to release the draft site plan within the next month, so be sure to check back in a few weeks! 

Hello, thank you for your question! There will not be a daycare space within the new hospital as it was not included in the approved scope of the project. 

Northern Health is working on programs and partnerships in other communities to give staff preferred placement spots and extended hours for rotating and extended shift-workers. This includes a pilot project partnership with the YMCA of Northern BC in Fort St. John. If the pilot program is successful, we anticipate it being implemented in other communities such as Dawson Creek, Tumbler Ridge, and Chetwynd. 

Northern Health also recently hired a new Regional Manager for Housing and Childcare who is proactively focusing on working to support and create solutions for staff within these areas. 

Hello, thank you for your question! There is no kidney dialysis unit planned for the new DCDH. We don't have the service in our current hospital and the programming isn't changing for the new build. 

Peritoneal dialysis is provided and taught to patients who require it. Patients who require kidney dialysis are normally referred to Fort St. John Hospital. 

Hi there, thank you for the question! There will be hand hygiene sinks placed strategically throughout the building for staff in accordance with CSA standards. Typically (among other locations), they will be located close to entrances or exits of a patient care space to promote frequent and convenient handwashing. 

Hi there! Thank you for your question. The new Request for Proposals will be issued in the coming weeks and we anticipate selecting a proponent to complete and deliver the project by spring 2023.

Once the proponent has been selected, there will be a public announcement. You can find find this announcement on the Dawson Creek & District Hospital Replacement Project's Let's Talk website or on social media in the Northern Health - Dawson Creek & Area Facebook group. 

Hi there! Thank you for your question. 

The Dawson Creek and District Hospital Replacement Project will support recruitment, retention and engagement of a well-trained, sustainable health care workforce.

We use collaborative strategies to address the unique recruitment and retention challenges in the Northeast. Our recruiters work in partnership with the physicians, the community and the South Peace Division of Family Practice to attract and retain physicians and staff in Dawson Creek.

From an early stage in this project, Northern Health has engaged both internal and external stakeholder discussions along with strategic sessions and continues to engage in initiatives for workforce sustainability on a local, regional and provincial level.

Through the extensive workforce planning, recruitment and retention strategies we are optimistic that we can recruit and maintain a sustainable health care workforce that offers quality care.

Having enough staff and the right mix of staff is essential for good health care. Staffing shortages for medical and other health care provider positions is a current reality for all of BC and Canada; there’s simply not enough trained health professionals to fulfill all the positions required.

Planning for staff at the new hospital has already begun with much discussion around recruitment, and the number of staff and mix of staff that will be required. Staffing numbers at Dawson Creek and District Hospital, and throughout Northern Health, are monitored continuously.

Staffing plans will be developed that will consider many factors, including how to balance the job duties and workloads of different staff in different departments within the new facility. However, we already expect that there will be additional employment opportunities available in a number of departments in the new hospital based on increased square footage meaning more space to clean and more beds meaning more patients to feed.

Our aim is to work closely with our partners such as the local Northern Lights College and other post-secondary institutions to be creative in our recruitment efforts. Fortunately, the opportunity to work at a brand-new health care facility is a major draw for potential hires and retaining existing staff.

Current and future staffing needs at DCDH have been a major consideration throughout the Replacement Project planning processes and have been identified in planning documents.

Northern Health will actively recruit staff, physicians and specialists to cover the increase in services.