Download the printable Summer 2024 Quarterly Project Update (images are included).

Where we’re at

Northern Health gets the keys on August 20!

PCL will officially transfer ownership of the new hospital to Northern Health on Tuesday, August 20. Note that this doesn’t mean the new hospital is now operational; rather, it means Northern Health can now undertake the next phase of work: activation work towards becoming operational. Staff and physicians are getting excited to see the inside of the hospital for the first time! They’ll get a chance to have a sneak peek of the new building the following Friday and Saturday. These brief tours are not considered orientation; almost a full month (Oct. 15 to Nov. 18) has been set aside for much of the staff and physician orientation and training in the new facility.

See project progress from May 2021 until now

Check out the latest construction time-lapse video!

Recent milestones:

• Local artist Alison Johansen is donating four of her beautiful paintings to the new facility; these will add colour and interest to the walls.
• Some new pathways outside the hospital are complete (see second timelapse photo above), and landscaping has started for some areas outside of the hospital.
• Efforts to recruit more physicians and staff continue.
• Several new state-of-the-art diagnostic machines, both large and small, have arrived at the new hospital – see articles below for more detail.

Where we’re going

Key move dates:

• Mon. Nov. 18 to Sat. Nov. 23: Phased move of some clinical and all non-clinical spaces.
• Sunday, November 24: The big day! Patients are moved; final equipment move takes place.

Activation and move planning: An update from Anne Chisholm, MMH Project Transition and Move Coordinator

The transition to the new hospital requires that the building becomes a functional hospital ready to provide patient care on the first day of the patient move. Activation is about the practical process of physically moving contents, stocking the building with equipment and supplies, and relocating patients from the existing hospital to the new facility.

Our activation strategy integrates building and operational readiness by identifying, organizing, and facilitating planning activities needed to bring the new facility to life, while maintaining the continuity of operations at the current hospital and minimizing downtime and risks to patient care activities throughout the transition period.

Our planning integrates environmental services, facility maintenance, biomedical engineering, materials management and logistics, protection services, IMIT, clinical scenarios testing, operational workflow simulations, emergency preparedness, orientation and training, communication and public relations, the physical move plan, and the patient transfer plan.

Recent highlights

New diagnostic imaging machines arrive

Three major new pieces of equipment have arrived: a new CT scanner was delivered at the end of May, a SPEC-CT machine arrived in June, and a new MRI arrived from Germany on July 22.

“All the machines represent the latest technology to provide patients in the Northwest with the most advanced imaging without having to travel to a larger centre,” said Marina Downs, Diagnostic Imaging Manager, Mills Memorial. “This will support our core values to provide care closest to home.”

The combined value of the three new state-of-the-art machines, which replace older equipment that was approaching the end of its life, is just under $5 million. The machines were funded as part of the overall hospital project by the North West Regional Hospital District and by the BC Ministry of Health through Northern Health.

For full details, check out this post (https://letstalk.northernhealth.ca/mmh/news_feed/draft-ct-scanner) on Let’s Talk.

Other new equipment will provide state-of-the-art care closer to home

In addition to the large machines mentioned above, the new hospital will boast several other new pieces of diagnostic equipment:

• New mammogram equipment and two new x-ray rooms
• One new fluoroscopy room (fluoroscopy is used for studies like barium swallows)
• Three new ultrasound machines, bringing the total to six
• One new portable x-ray machine, bringing the total to two
• One new C-arm (portable fluoroscopy machine) for the operating rooms, bringing the total to two. This machine makes it possible for physicians to do scans for bone injuries and other conditions during surgeries.

Celebrating MMH through stories

During the past 80 years, MMH has been part of many stories of joy, hope, change, and loss. As we look forward to the new hospital, let’s honour those special moments! Help us remember the existing Mills Memorial Hospital in Terrace and all those who have worked and received care there. Go to Let’s Talk MMH to learn more, or download the story submission form.

Interested in working at the new hospital?

Several positions need to be filled at the current and future hospital, including clinical, support services, administration, and more! For more info and a list of job opportunities, download the MMH employment flyer. Or, go to NH Careers to search for current openings.

Learn more!

There are a couple of ways you can find out more about this exciting project:

• Go to letstalk.northernhealth.ca/MMH – it’s your one-stop shop for everything related to the Mills Memorial Hospital Replacement project. The site features regular project updates, a link to the construction camera, and more.
• Email letstalkMMH@northernhealth.ca with your questions and comments. We’re always happy to hear from you!

The new hospital currently nearing completion in Terrace has received three major new pieces of equipment that will help provide excellent care closer to home for people in the Northwest.

A new CT scanner was delivered at the end of May, a SPECT-CT machine arrived in June, and a new MRI arrived from Germany on July 22.

“All three machines represent the latest technology to provide patients in the Northwest with the most advanced imaging without having to travel to a larger centre,” said Marina Downs, Diagnostic Imaging Manager, Mills Memorial. “This will support our core values to provide care closest to home.”

“SPECT and MRI are regional services that Mills provides,” she added. “We support the whole Northwest for these two services. CT is pretty common now; for example, Prince Rupert has one and Smithers has one. Terrace does still support a large amount of regional patients for CT.”

The combined value of the three new state-of-the-art machines, which replace older equipment that was approaching the end of its life, is just under $5 million. The machines were funded as part of the overall hospital project by the North West Regional Hospital District, and by the BC Ministry of Health through Northern Health.

The new CT scanner is shown inside the new hospital, complete with a virtual skylight to help
patients feel more relaxed while being scanned.

More about the new equipment:

• CT scanner:
  • CT stands for “computed tomography,” which is a way of making 3D images of the inside of the human body.
  • CT scanners use X-rays to create detailed cross-sectional images of the body, providing information about bone structures, soft tissues, and blood vessels.
• SPECT-CT:
  • SPECT-CT machines combine two types of scans: single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and computed tomography (CT), creating highly defined 3D images of the inside of the body.
  • This type of machine provides functional information that other imaging options can’t provide. SPECT-CTs are especially useful for detecting abnormal or cancerous cells and assessing musculoskeletal issues.
• MRI:
  • MRI stands for “magnetic resonance imaging.”
  • MRI machines use a strong magnetic field and radio waves to create detailed images of our bodies’ internal structures. They excel at giving us images of soft tissues, organs, and the brain.
  • Terrace’s new MRI machine can scan a patient’s whole body, including capturing from 100 to 100,000 images per study.

“Regional operation teams assessed the benefits of replacing the machines now to reduce any impact to regional patients and determined that it made more sense to get the new machines now,” said Marina. “For example, there would be replacement costs to install a new MRI machine because they’re large and complex, including some construction. To install new machines now means we can seamlessly move from our old hospital to the new hospital with only limited downtime.”

The space for the new MRI machine during construction. Michael King, Construction Manager at PCL, explained in a recent LinkedIn post that these machines must be installed in a copper-lined room to protect against magnetic interference.

The MRI machine arrives in its new home (which also features a virtual skylight) on July 22. “Planning for the installation of an MRI machine is a meticulous process,” said Michael King, Construction Manager at PCL.

A recent Terrace Standard newspaper article, published on April 27, stated that Northern Health has decided the name of the new hospital “will not be the one of the current facility – Mills Memorial Hospital.” This is incorrect. No decision about the name of the new hospital has yet been made. Northern Health is still in the process of working through the naming of the new hospital.

We understand there are strong feelings about the name of the existing Terrace hospital (Mills Memorial) and what the name might be for the new hospital. We are committed to listening to people who have an interest in the name. We are also committed to recognizing the traditional territory on which the hospital is located, recognizing the people of the region the hospital will serve, and acknowledging the history of the old hospital in the new hospital.

As we work through the naming of the new hospital, Northern Health will continue discussions with the Kitsumkalum and Kitselas First Nations, and community partners. There will also be opportunity for people to share their perspectives

Stay tuned. We will share more info as it becomes available.

Download the April 2024 Quarterly Project Update.
Note: images are included in the pdf version of the update.

WHERE WE’RE AT

Hospital construction completion is ahead of schedule!

Originally scheduled for end of September 2024, substantial completion of the new hospital – when Northern Health takes ownership of the new building – is now set for end of August. Staff now have three months to get oriented and trained in the new facility, and prepare for patient care.

Check out the new MMH construction timelapse video!

Project milestones

• New Seven Sisters is now open
• New hospital set to open late November this year
• Boilers are operating; oxygen tank is full
• Deficiency tests, compliance inspections and systems commissioning happening throughout new hospital
• Various new positions have been filled and significant efforts to recruit more physicians and staff continue

Residents and staff settling into new Seven Sisters

Staff and residents successfully moved into the new Seven Sisters, spending their first night there on February 6. Seven Sisters is a regional mental-health facility that provides long-term rehabilitation and recovery programs for adults living with serious and persistent mental illness.

The new Seven Sisters, which is part of the MMH Replacement project, is nearly twice as big as the previous one and has 25 patient beds, an increase from 20. Along with new, modern furniture and equipment, staff and patients will benefit from many new features, including a multi-sensory room, various recreational spaces, more treatment rooms, and staff and meeting spaces.

Check out the new Seven Sisters construction timelapse video!

WHERE WE’RE GOING

Preparing for the big move and future operations

We are getting ready to open the new hospital at the end of November 2024, just a few months away!

To ensure a smooth move and operations, many details need to be in place. All hands are on deck, working hard to ensure the transition to the new hospital is as positive and comfortable an experience as possible for all patients and staff.

Planning for the actual physical move is underway. We are working closely with Health Care Relocations (HCR), a company that specializes in healthcare facility transitions. The company will support with operational readiness, the physical move between the facilities, and the activation of the new hospital.

MMH managers will be meeting individually with company representatives to discuss department-specific details. For example, some departments will have equipment that requires the help of a vendor. Items from the hospital can be moved in various phases. The goal is to move as few items as possible when patients are moved.

For a hospital the size of MMH, the move will likely be completed within one week and the actual patient move in one day. To help with the transition, and with the support of regional staff and other hospitals, we will aim to reduce activity and patient levels at MMH leading up to the move. Stay tuned for more info as we continue to get ready!

Walk this way­­ – on our new pathways

PCL is preparing the ground in front of the new hospital’s main entrance on Tetrault Street for sidewalks, landscaping and paving. Some sidewalks and pathways have already been installed on the west and south side of the new hospital, and more are underway. These need to be in place for the hospital to open.

Some areas will be landscaped later this year, but most landscaping work will happen in 2025 and 2026, after the demolition of the current hospital.

HIGHLIGHTS: WAYFINDING KIOSK, VIRTUAL SKYLIGHTS

Two examples of technology aimed at enhancing the patient experience in the new Terrace hospital include a wayfinding kiosk and virtual skylights.

Patients and visitors will need help getting around the significantly larger new hospital. Much thought has been put into the wayfinding system for the new site. One interactive piece of that system is an electronic wayfinding kiosk in the main lobby. The kiosk will have a touch screen, similar to those found in many airports and shopping malls. The kiosk will help orient people to the building and get them where they want to go.

Another example of technology in the new facility that will benefit patients and staff is virtual skylights in the Spect-CT room and in the MRI room.

"It's basically a large light box above where patients lie down on the scan table. A nature image and the light let them imagine they are looking out a window or skylight,” says Marina Downs, Diagnostic Imaging Manager at MMH. “The idea is to create a more soothing environment in one that can often feel cold and sterile. The skylights will help patients feel more relaxed. In turn, they are more likely to hold still during their exams.”

CELEBRATING MMH THROUGH STORIES

Over the past 80 years, MMH has been part of many families’ stories – stories of joy, hope, change, and loss. As we look forward to the new hospital, we want to honour special moments that occurred at MMH. Check out the next page to read some of stories we’ve received so far. The stories are truly special and we thank everyone who’s shared so far!

We want to hear your story!

Help us honour the existing Mills Memorial Hospital in Terrace and all those who have worked and received care there. Go to Let’s Talk MMH to learn more. Download a story submission form.

YOUR MMH STORIES…

Vi Timmerman

“My introduction to Terrace was Dr. REM Lee. We arrived the summer of 1969 and I needed gallbladder surgery. I was told by my Doctor in Langley that “the best doctor in the province is in Terrace." He really was an excellent doctor.

Several years later Dr. Kenyon saved a family member’s life. We’ll always be grateful to him and our community is fortunate to have him.

Three of my grandchildren and four great grandchildren were all born at Mills Memorial Hospital. We have always received excellent care and wish the best of luck to all the staff.”

Birgitta van Heek

“I have never forgotten the year Mills Memorial Hospital opened – 1961. I was in Grade 7 at the time and played in the Skeena Secondary Band at the official opening. My classmate Lorne King and I lived on the bench and would travel to practices together…. dressed that day in our Skeena colours...silky satin purple and gold uniforms!

I played the trumpet­ – at least attempted to. I am not musical at all and not sure how I qualified to be in the band! That was the only time I remember performing and my musical career ended shortly thereafter but I will never forget that memorable event.”

Alexi Rivera

“In 1989 I lived in Rosswood. I had very bad asthma and got sick quite often. This particular time I got pneumonia and was really sick.

I spent three weeks in the children’s ward. I turned 13 in the hospital and for my birthday, the nurses bought me a cake. The nurses were amazing and caring the whole time.

I lived with my grandparents. As we lived in Rosswood, my Grandma wasn’t always able to come visit ­– definitely not every day­ – but the nurses made me feel the love I was missing.

The nurses were also good with letting my friends come to see me. I went to school at Cassie Hall (across the street) so my friends would come to see me after school sometimes. Of course, kids being kids, we could get noisy but the nurses were pretty chill about it. The old Mills will always be in my memory because of this experience.”

Cameron Orr

“We needed to arrange the birth of our second child in Terrace rather than in Kitimat, where we live. We'd come to the hospital many times leading up to the birth day, and the day of was wonderful. We even took a walk at Ferry Island before heading to the hospital for the evening. Our doctor was amazing and the birth went very smoothly. The nurses were also stellar.

It was a quiet night and they offered – and we accepted – for them to walk with our baby in a carrier while they went about their tasks. This was a great transition to having two kids for us. Our baby is now nearly five and we remember our stay at MMH well.”

INTERESTED IN WORKING AT THE NEW HOSPITAL?

A number of positions need to be filled at the current and future hospital ranging from clinical, support services, administration, and more! For more info and a list of job opportunities at the new Terrace hospital, go to Let’s Talk MMH and download the MMH employment flyer.

Go to Northern Health Careers to search for current openings and positions for the existing and new hospital that are already posted.

The number one question we were asked at the Northern Health booth at the Terrace Trade Show this past weekend was, "Is the new hospital still set to open this year?" The answer is yes! The new hospital is set to open in late November 2024.

Eva Visscher, NH's Northwest Recruitment & Retention Ambassador, was at the booth chatting and answering questions all weekend, while Emily Leblond, MMH Director of Care, and Sarah Artis, MMH Replacement Project Liaison, each came for a few hours .

Throughout the two days of the trade show April 26 and 27, many people expressed delight at the new facility's floor plans, progress photos, the construction time lapse video and the video tour of the inside of the new hospital.

Northern Health booth at the Terrace and District Chamber of Commerce Trade Show.

Sarah Artis and Eva Visscher, giving the thumbs up, in front of a poster of the new hospital.

Hospital construction completion is ahead of schedule!

Originally scheduled for end of September 2024, substantial completion of the new hospital – when Northern Health takes ownership of the new building – is now set for end of August. Staff now have three months to get oriented and trained in the new facility, and prepare for patient care.

New timelapse construction videos

• New hospital construction timelapse
• New Seven Sisters construction timelapse

April 2024 project milestones

• New Seven Sisters is now open
• New hospital set to open late November this year
• Boilers are operating; oxygen tank is full
• Deficiency tests, compliance inspections and systems commissioning happening throughout new hospital
• Various new positions have been filled and significant efforts to recruit more physicians and staff continue

Public elevators and signageTeam Care Station

Some areas will be landscaped later this year, but most landscaping work will happen in 2025 and 2026, after the demolition of the current hospital.

New pathways on the south end of the new hospital.Preparing the ground for paving in front of the new hospital.

Two examples of technology aimed at enhancing the patient experience in the new Terrace hospital include a wayfinding kiosk and virtual skylights.

Patients and visitors will need help getting around the significantly larger new hospital. Much thought has been put into the wayfinding system for the new site. One interactive piece of that system is an electronic wayfinding kiosk in the main lobby. The kiosk will have a touch screen, similar to those found in many airports and shopping malls. The kiosk will help orient people to the building and get them where they want to go.

Another example of technology in the new facility that will benefit patients and staff is virtual skylights in the Spect-CT room and in the MRI room.

“It’s basically a large light box above where patients lie down on the scan table. A nature image and the light let them imagine they are looking out a window or skylight,” says Marina Downs, Diagnostic Imaging Manager at MMH. “The idea is to create a more soothing environment in one that can often feel cold and sterile. The skylights will help patients feel more relaxed. In turn, they are more likely to hold still during their exams.”

Anne Chisholm, MMH Project Transition & Move Coordinator, stands with the new wayfinding kiosk in the lobby of the new hospital...

The virtual skylight on the ceiling of the Spect-CT room.

Cameron Orr's baby girl, born at MMH.

Celebrating MMH through stories - Part 2

Over the past 80 years, MMH has been part of many families’ stories – stories of joy, hope, change, and loss. As we look forward to the new hospital, we want to honour special moments that occurred at MMH.

Check out some of stories we’ve received so far. The stories are truly special and we thank everyone who’s shared so far!

• Vi Timmerman
  “My introduction to Terrace was Dr. REM Lee. We arrived the summer of 1969 and I needed gallbladder surgery. I was told by my Doctor in Langley that “the best doctor in the province is in Terrace." He really was an excellent doctor.Several years later Dr. Kenyon saved a family member’s life. We’ll always be grateful to him and our community is fortunate to have him.
  Three of my grandchildren and four great grandchildren were all born at Mills Memorial Hospital. We have always received excellent care and wish the best of luck to all the staff.”
  
  
• Birgitta van Heek
  “I have never forgotten the year Mills Memorial Hospital opened – 1961. I was in Grade 7 at the time and played in the Skeena Secondary Band at the official opening. My classmate Lorne King and I lived on the bench and would travel to practices together…. dressed that day in our Skeena colours...silky satin purple and gold uniforms! I played the trumpet­ – at least attempted to. I am not musical at all and not sure how I qualified to be in the band! That was the only time I remember performing and my musical career ended shortly thereafter but I will never forget that memorable event.”
  
  
• Alexi Rivera
  “In 1989 I lived in Rosswood. I had very bad asthma and got sick quite often. This particular time I got pneumonia and was really sick.
  I spent three weeks in the children’s ward. I turned 13 in the hospital and for my birthday, the nurses bought me a cake. The nurses were amazing and caring the whole time.
  I lived with my grandparents. As we lived in Rosswood, my Grandma wasn’t always able to come visit ­– definitely not every day­ – but the nurses made me feel the love I was missing.
  The nurses were also good with letting my friends come to see me. I went to school at Cassie Hall (across the street) so my friends would come to see me after school sometimes. Of course, kids being kids, we could get noisy but the nurses were pretty chill about it. The old Mills will always be in my memory because of this experience.”
  
  
• Cameron Orr
  “We needed to arrange the birth of our second child in Terrace rather than in Kitimat, where we live. We'd come to the hospital many times leading up to the birth day, and the day of was wonderful. We even took a walk at Ferry Island before heading to the hospital for the evening. Our doctor was amazing and the birth went very smoothly. The nurses were also stellar. It was a quiet night and they offered – and we accepted – for them to walk with our baby in a carrier while they went about their tasks. This was a great transition to having two kids for us. Our baby is now nearly five and we remember our stay at MMH well.”

We want to hear your story!

Help us honour the existing Mills Memorial Hospital in Terrace and all those who have worked and received care there. Learn more at Celebrate MMH.

Check out a time-lapse video of the construction of the new hospital. The one-minute video shows from when the land was cleared in May 2021, until what the new hospital looks like today, in April 2024, just a few months before it's set to open.