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!