October 24, 2008

Construction contract awarded for Houston Health Centre:  renovation to add residential care beds

Improvements for seniors in Houston who need extended care and health services have taken a major step forward. Northern Health has awarded the contract to renovate the Houston Health Centre to accommodate six new residential care beds.

Northern Health and the Government of British Columbia are partners in the development of the new beds, which will serve Houston seniors who can no longer live independently, and need round-the-clock nursing care. NH has now awarded a construction contract to IDL Projects of Prince George to renovate the space within the facility currently occupied by the BC Ambulance Service to accommodate the new beds.

“The new residential care beds will improve the range of services available to seniors in Houston,” said Health Services Minister George Abbott. “All across the province we are building new and replacement beds and units for our seniors.”

The $2.8 million  renovation of Houston Health Centre,  and of an adjacent property to accommodate the relocation of BC Ambulance Service operations is supported by Northern Health’s capital funding allocation from the Government of British Columbia. 

“Today’s announcement is great news for seniors who can no longer live on their own but want to stay in their home community,” said Bulkley Valley – Stikine MLA Dennis MacKAY. “I would also like to thank the Northern Health staff and BC Ambulance Service who worked hard to make this project a reality as renovations can now get underway.”

The new beds will be located in the space currently occupied by the BC Ambulance Service. Northern Health has purchased a local property adjacent to the Houston Health Centre, which will undergo significant renovations and improvements to meet the needs of the Ambulance Service, including new garage spaces.

Renovations of the adjacent property will take approximately two months. Once the ambulance services move to the new location, internal renovations will begin within the Health Centre to accommodate the new seniors beds. Completion of the project is slated for fall 2009.

“Members of the Northern Health Board and senior management have always been committed to seeing this project through,” said Dr. Charles Jago, chair of the Northern Health Board. “Now, with much appreciated provincial government funding support, we are very pleased to see it proceed.”

The new beds at Houston Health Centre will meet up-to-date standards for residential care. Residential care is for seniors who can no longer live independently, and need around-the-clock nursing care in a home-like environment. The standards include full wheelchair accessibility, appropriate space for clients and caregivers, and the ability to include patient lifts and other support devices.

This project is part of a $2.9 billion health sector capital plan which is providing investments in health care such as new medical equipment and expanded and modernized health facilities. Since 2001, the province has added more than 11,300 new and replacement beds and met its commitment earlier this year to build 5,000 net-new beds.