Mills Memorial Hospital Replacement - Terrace, BC

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Project Overview

We are building a new, state-of-the-art hospital in Terrace, BC, to address current and future patient care needs in Northwest BC. More than double the size of the existing facility (approximately 356,500 square feet), the new hospital will be a centre for trauma services, orthopedic surgeries, pathology, radiology, and pharmacy services. Similar to now, the hospital will also be a training site for medical students in the Northern Medical Program.

A new hospital will…

  • Benefit patients and families
  • Benefit physicians and staff
  • Strengthen existing services
  • Offer new and expanded services
  • Strengthen the regional network of health-care services
  • Increase

Project Overview

We are building a new, state-of-the-art hospital in Terrace, BC, to address current and future patient care needs in Northwest BC. More than double the size of the existing facility (approximately 356,500 square feet), the new hospital will be a centre for trauma services, orthopedic surgeries, pathology, radiology, and pharmacy services. Similar to now, the hospital will also be a training site for medical students in the Northern Medical Program.

A new hospital will…

  • Benefit patients and families
  • Benefit physicians and staff
  • Strengthen existing services
  • Offer new and expanded services
  • Strengthen the regional network of health-care services
  • Increase access to care, closer to home, for all Northwest BC residents
  • Support recruitment, retention and engagement of health care workers
  • Bring local economic benefits


  • Highlight: Therapeutic multi-sensory rooms

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    Sample ‘underwater theme’ multi-sensory room from Snoezelen.

    Mind and body therapy


    Both the new Seven Sisters and the psychiatry department in the new Terrace hospital will feature a multi-sensory room. Multi-sensory rooms are therapeutic tools that are becoming increasingly important in supporting individuals experiencing mental health and substance use challenges.

    Multi-sensory rooms have specialized sensory equipment and materials that help clients recognize and adapt their responses.

    These types of rooms are particularly effective in mental health settings since they provide therapeutic interventions in a controlled setting. Research shows that multi-sensory rooms help empower individuals that use them, support emotional regulation, as well as decrease the use of restraints and seclusion in inpatient settings.

    “We’ve wanted to incorporate multi-sensory rooms into client care for a long time,” said Brad Leier, NH Manager, Specialized Services. “With the extra space in new Seven Sisters and hospital, clients now have the chance to benefit from these calming and engaging spaces that are specially designed with their care needs in mind.”

    Big thanks to the REM Lee Hospital Foundation who fundraised to help pay for the rooms!

  • Highlight: New, hands free communications technology

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    MMH Medical Lab Technologists Paola Galang,left, and Brennan Bantle, show off their vocera badges during training.

    In January 2024, more than 150 staff at Mills Memorial Hospital and Seven Sisters received training to use Vocera, a hands-free communications technology. The new system has staff wearing a small badge – on a lanyard or on their uniform – that enables them to communicate instantaneously with each other and staff in other Northern Health facilities which utilize the technology.

    “The technology is meant to help make work easier for staff, to help save time,” said Darci Paice, the NH employee who facilitated the training. “Staff have been really engaged. Once they see all the features and benefits of the Vocera system, they get pretty excited.”

    With the newer hospital being so much bigger, Vocera will allow staff to work together more effectively. Instead of relying on less direct communications techniques– for example, physically seeking someone out, paging them through the overhead call system, or phoning them and leaving a message - staff will be able to call each other immediately through the badges. And after pressing the button once to ‘wake’ the badge, all the communication is hands-free!

    Vocera also integrates with regular telephone services, so users can place and receive regular phone calls with their badges. It will also integrate with the nurse call system at the hospital, so through their badges, staff will receive and be able to respond to alerts more easily.

    MMH Medical Lab Technologist Brennan Bantle has used Vocera at previous work sites and is pleased it’s coming to MMH.

    “It’s great, really helpful,” he said, “especially when fewer staff are on site, for example, on night shifts.”

    By helping staff do their jobs more efficiently and effectively, the technology benefits patients too. A staff person who needs support with a patient can stay with the patient and call for help using the Vocera system, rather than leave the patient in search of help.

    Staff will start using Vocera in early February.

  • FAQ: What does a new hospital in Terrace mean for surrounding communities?

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    When a community gains a new hospital, the entire region benefits.

    Here's what a new hospital in Terrace means for other Northwest BC communities.

    Download the MMH Regional Benefits flyer.

    Stronger regional health care

    Northern Health takes a regional approach to providing health care across Northern BC. The new hospital in Terrace will work in partnership with and complement other facilities in the region. A new Mills Memorial Hospital (MMH) will provide a foundation for services to grow in, and outreach programs to serve, surrounding communities.

    New and expanded services

    The new Terrace hospital will offer specialty care not currently available in the region, benefitting all Northwest BC residents. The new hospital will have an expanded level of neonatal and maternal care. This means some mothers and babies who previously would be transferred to bigger centres will be able to receive care in Terrace, closer to home. Similarly, with an enhanced trauma care program, many trauma patients who would be stabilized then transferred to Vancouver or Prince George will now be cared for at MMH. Terrace is also where Northwest BC psychiatry patients receive care, and the number of psychiatry beds at the new MMH is doubling, increasing from 10 to 20.

    The new hospital will attract new specialists and physicians who will be able to engage with patients at other sites, for example, patients in Dease Lake, Stewart, and Haida Gwaii. The benefits of new staff, services and programs at the new MMH expand beyond Terrace.

    Increased demand at other facilities

    Contrary to concerns of the new MMH taking away from other facilities, the demand for services at other facilities may increase.

    For example, the new MMH will offer orthopedic surgeries to support the enhanced trauma program. The demand for orthopedic surgeries is high enough that with more trauma-centred surgeries happening in Terrace, more elective surgeries will likely need to happen in Kitimat and Prince Rupert, where they are already taking place. Likewise, the need for services supplied to MMH by surrounding facilities may increase. The hospital in Kitimat provides laundry services to MMH, and the demand for this service will increase with a larger facility and more patient beds in Terrace.

    Continued renovations, upgrades, and new builds

    A new hospital in Terrace doesn’t stop renovations and new construction from happening in surrounding communities. Planning new facilities, as well as major and minor renovations and upgrades is an ongoing, comprehensive and regional process. For example, a new primary care clinic opened in Smithers in January 2024, and in recent years, several major pieces of equipment at Wrinch Hospital in the Hazeltons have been upgraded. We are committed to maintaining health care services and facilities throughout the region. New facilities and services, and major and minor renovations and upgrades will continue to be planned and take place throughout Northwest BC.

    Regional recruitment

    While a new hospital can be a significant draw for new employees, Northern Health aims to recruit equitably for all communities, especially those with higher vacancies. Candidates also have personal preferences when it comes to career opportunities and where they want to live in the region.

  • Celebrate MMH. Share your story!

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    As part of the Terrace Festival of Trees, visitors put their stories on paper decorations and hung them on an 'MMH Story Tree'.

    Let's celebrate MMH together through stories!

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

    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.

    Win a prize!

    Names of all those who submit a story will be entered into a draw for ten $20 Tim Hortons gift cards!

    The draw will be January 31, 2024. but we will continue to collect stories after this date.

    How to submit

    Share your story. Share a memory or what you will miss most. Share a sentence or a whole page. It's up to you.

    Please include

    1. First and last name*
    2. Email
    3. Phone number
    4. Community you live in
    5. If you are Northern Health staff
    6. Photos (if you have some)

    *Let us know if you don't want your name shared with your story, but we still need your first and last name, and contact info for our records.

    Where will the stories be published?

    Northern Health hopes to share these stories on various platforms, such as:

    By submitting a story and/or photos, you are giving Northern Health permission to share these.

    We look forward to reading and sharing your stories, and celebrating the hospital together!

  • Videos promoting Terrace & new MMH

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    We've created videos promoting the new hospital and working in Terrace to help recruit staff and physicians!

    Three's three versions of the video:

    The videos are on Northern Health’s Youtube, as well as on Let’s Talk MMH, on the right side of the page under ‘Videos’.

    Thanks so much to Northern Health staff Emily Leblond, Greg Dashper and Lisette Calkins for starring in the videos.

  • Happy Holidays!

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    The holidays are just around the corner and we probably all need a little break.

    We wanted to share with you that work on the Mills Memorial Hospital construction site will slow down between December 22 and January 2. Fewer workers and less activity will be happening on site.

    Hope you stay active and healthy this holiday season! Check out a video of Spirit, Northern Health's mascot, for some fun ideas.


  • Why is there no parking at MMH?

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    We understand the parking situation at Mills Memorial Hospital is frustrating right now - for staff, physicians, patients and visitors. Not enough spots are available at certain times of the day. It’s probably taking more time to find a spot, and you likely have to walk a longer distance from your vehicle to the hospital than you’d like.

    More parking spots are coming

    We know insufficient parking has been a challenge at the hospital for a while, and the construction of the new hospital put more pressure on the situation.

    Adequate parking for patients, visitors, staff and physicians was an important consideration of the new hospital design. Parking at the new hospital will be double what it was at the current hospital, increasing from 150 to 300 spots. (And yes! Parking will continue to be free.) The majority of those parking spots won’t be ready until the middle of 2026, however, when the project is complete.

    Northern Health and PCL have come up with some creative solutions in the interim. We’ve maximized the use of the site by building temporary parking lots as space has become available. We are repainting the lines in the existing parking lots to maximize efficiency.

    The reality of the situation, however, is that parking will remain a challenge until all new spots are in place and the project is complete. And during the winter months, the situation will be even more challenging as street parking is not allowed.

    Recommendations

    There’s no perfect solution. In the meantime, we ask you to consider:

    • Arriving early
    • Carpooling
    • Getting dropped off and picked up (especially if you have mobility issues)

    Thank you for your consideration and patience during this time!

  • Alert! Tetrault Street tree row removal

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    Starting the morning of Saturday, November 11, as part of construction of the new Mills Memorial Hospital, PCL will be removing the single row of trees along Tetrault Street that start close to Haugland Avenue and end halfway to Keith Avenue.

    While this work is taking place, the parking spots that line Tetrault Street, on the east side of the existing hospital’s adjacent parking lot, will be blocked off and unavailable.

    The removal of the trees should take a maximum of two days, with the area being blocked off starting Friday night, November 10.

    The trees will be removed during the regular construction working hours of 7am to 7pm.

    The work is happening over the weekend to minimize impact on hospital parking, patients and staff. Appropriate safety precautions will be in place and the impact on neighbours and traffic should be minimal.

    Removing these trees is part of the construction of the new hospital. A landscaping plan is in place for the entire site, with garden beds planned for this area.

  • October 2023 - Quarterly Project Update

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    Download a copy of the October 2023 Quarterly Project Update.

    WHERE WE’RE AT

    Recent milestones and activities

    • In September, PCL achieved an impressive 1.5 million worker hours without a safety incident.
    • Posters with project info and featured department floors plans were displayed for two weeks in the MMH basement and Skeena Mall in Terrace. Posters are also on Let’s Talk MMH.
    • Majority of electrical panel installations are complete.
    • Food services kitchen equipment was delivered and installed.
    • Three of six elevators are complete and in use, with the final three expected to be done soon.
    • 99% of the drywalling in the entire facility is complete.
    • Site service road and new temporary parking lot in front of new Seven Sisters is now paved.
    • Startups of major systems is ongoing – for example, air handling units, heat recovery chillers, heating boiler and the steam boiler.
    • Infection control measures continue to be implemented on site - for example, boot cleaners at all entrances, daily cleaning of work areas, and use of HEPA filtered vacuums.

    Inside progress photos

    Food Services Level 0 (Basement)Laboratory Level 1 Cancer Care Level 1

    Emergency Department Level 1Sample Washroom

    WHERE WE’RE GOING


    New hospital and new Seven Sisters to open in 2024

    As the substantial completion dates for both the new Seven Sisters and the new Mills Memorial Hospital approach, the timelines for moving into the new facilities are becoming clearer.

    What substantial completion means to us is that the building is complete, and Northern Health can occupy it. It does not mean the entire MMH Replacement Project is complete. The project, including parking and landscaping, is set to be complete in 2026.

    • Substantial completion for the new Seven Sisters will occur in mid-January 2024. We anticipate moving into the new Seven Sisters in mid-February.
    • Substantial completion for the new hospital is on track for September 19, 2024. We anticipate moving into the new hospital by the end of November.

    In between the substantial completion and move in dates, staff and physicians will be oriented to the new buildings and prepare the new facilities for patient care. This includes ensuring all supplies are in place, and all systems and equipment are functioning properly, including those required to run the facility itself, and for patient care workflows and services.


    HIGHLIGHT: EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT

    Download a copy of the Emergency Department poster.

    HIGHLIGHT: INTERIOR COLOUR & MATERIALS PALETTE


    Northern Health worked with an interior design consultant to create a safe, welcoming and positive environment for staff, physicians, patients and visitors.

    Key considerations:

    • Nature
    • Northwest BC cultures
    • Northwest BC communities
    • Creation of calm, welcoming and comfortable environment
    • Promotion of health, wellness and safety
    • Department workflows and functions
    • Health standards and infection control
    • Long term maintenance, cost and availability of materials
    • Prevention of triggers


    CLOSER TO HOME CAMPAIGN UPDATE


    Thank you to all the donors who continue to come forward to make the dream of bringing a higher level of care to mothers and newborns in Northwest BC a reality.

    The Dr. R.E.M Lee Foundation’s ‘Closer to Home’ campaign is raising funds for a Tier 3 level Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and special care nursery at the new Mills Memorial Hospital.

    Currently, MMH's level of neonatal and maternal services is Tier 2 and no facility in Northwest BC offers Tier 3 level services.

    To learn more about and to donate to this important cause, go to remleehospitalfoundation.org or call the Foundation at 250-641-5526.
  • New hospital and new Seven Sisters to open in 2024

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    As the substantial completion dates for both the new Seven Sisters and the new Mills Memorial Hospital approach, the timelines for moving into the new facilities are becoming clearer.

    What substantial completion means to us is that the building is complete, and Northern Health can occupy it. It does not mean the entire MMH Replacement Project is complete. The project, including parking and landscaping, is set to be complete in 2026.

    • Substantial completion for the new Seven Sisters will occur in mid-January 2024. We anticipate moving into the new Seven Sisters in mid-February.
    • Substantial completion for the new hospital is on track for September 19, 2024. We anticipate moving into the new hospital by the end of November.

    In between the substantial completion and move in dates, staff and physicians will be oriented to the new buildings and prepare the new facilities for patient care. This includes ensuring all supplies are in place, and all systems and equipment are functioning properly, including those required to run the facility itself, and for patient care workflows and services.

Page last updated: 27 Mar 2024, 11:51 AM