Spearheaded by Northern Health and Infrastructure BC, the Stuart Lake Hospital Replacement Project in Fort St. James, BC, marks a significant milestone in the region’s healthcare landscape, addressing the community’s evolving healthcare needs while fostering economic growth and a broader cultural scope.
The origins of the project trace back nearly 52 years. During a population boom, a relatively temporary structure was erected to provide health services to the Fort St. James community. Over the decades, this “temporary structure” underwent several additions and improvements, serving the community far beyond its expected lifespan.
Greg Marr of Northern Health highlights the long-standing need for a modern facility, saying, “Planning, design, and budget approval for the new facility has been underway in earnest for the last several years.” The hospital’s construction on the territory of the Nak’azdli Whut’en signifies a collaborative effort to honor the community’s heritage while addressing contemporary healthcare demands.
Economic Impact
The economic implications of Fort St. James’ hospital redevelopment are twofold. First, the construction phase has generated numerous jobs and training opportunities for local residents. “Non-skilled workers and trades from the local area have the chance to participate in the construction and to remain in the community post-construction, having learned a particular skill or trade,” says Anthony Radman of Infrastructure BC. “Second, once the new facility is completed, a diverse workforce with positions needing to fill that include, but are not limited to, support staff, doctors, nurses and clinical staff will draw new people into the community and that, as a result, will create economic spin-off benefits.”
At the heart of the hospital replacement project lies a commitment to creating a welcoming, inclusive environment that reflects the community’s values. “Northern Health is a steward, but the building and services are the communities,” says Marr. The new facility, situated on the territory of the Nak’azdli, will triple the size of the existing hospital, encompassing approximately 6,300 square meters.
Key features of the new hospital include:
- 27 beds: 18 long-term and 9 acute care
- An emergency department with two treatment rooms, a trauma bay, and a covered ambulance bay
- A Primary Care Centre, consolidating services currently offered in Fort St. James to one location
- Expanded laboratory and diagnostic imaging services
- An in-house Spiritual Space and Gathering Space
- Larger space for palliative care, including a palliative care lounge and healing garden
- Landscaping with culturally significant plants, developed in collaboration with local Indigenous Elders and plant experts
- 85 parking stalls, significantly increasing parking capacity
These enhancements aim to model excellence in healthcare, incorporating modern best practices and standards. By consolidating multiple health services under one roof, the new hospital will offer a seamless, patient-centered experience, fostering a supportive healing environment for residents of Fort St. James and surrounding areas.
Enhancing Healthcare Delivery
The upgraded facilities and services at the redeveloped hospital will revolutionize healthcare delivery in Fort St. James. By co-locating all services in a single building, the hospital will function as a “one-stop-shop” for patients, streamlining care delivery and reducing the need for multiple visits. “The new hospital will enable more seamless care delivery and additional space for family and loved ones to gather and support people at key moments,” says Marr.
The integration of local cultural elements into the hospital’s design is exemplary. Ongoing input from key leaders in the community, health care staff, and the Nak’azdli, Tl’azt’en, Binche, Yekooche, and Takla First Nations has not only inspired, but directly impacted the design of the new facility.
Each element has been carefully thought out to provide culturally safe and welcoming care for all. For example, the color scheme, inspired by the natural beauty of the area, pays homage to the forest, sky, lake, and the warmth and frost of transitioning seasons. Wayfinding signage throughout the facility is multilingual, featuring English, Dakelh, and Carrier syllabics in both patient-facing and staff-facing areas.
The comprehensive redevelopment plan includes significant improvements and expansions to the hospital’s infrastructure. In addition to the increased bed capacity and enhanced emergency services, the new hospital will feature expanded laboratory and diagnostic imaging services, an in-house Spiritual Space and Gathering Space, and larger spaces for palliative care. The outdoor areas, designed in collaboration with local Indigenous Elders and plant experts, will offer culturally and medicinally significant landscaping, creating serene, healing environments for patients and visitors.
Patient and Professional Needs
By collocating both professional and patient services within a single building, patients can access a wide range of healthcare services in one visit. “As a patient, you will be able to have your doctor’s visit, walk over to lab or imaging, and meet with other health professionals all in the same place,” says Marr. For healthcare providers, having all the necessary tools and resources in one location enhances efficiency and collaboration.
The facility will also serve as a home for up to 18 people living in multi-level care, with a design that fosters a home-like environment and supports daily, active programs. The inclusion of indoor gathering spaces and the spiritual room, along with thoughtfully designed outdoor areas, underscores the project’s commitment to holistic, patient-centered care.
The Fort St. James project incorporates several innovative technologies and design features to enhance its functionality and sustainability. The innovative approach to collocating Acute Care, Primary Care, and Long-Term Care services within a single building is particularly noteworthy. This design strategy not only maximizes resource efficiency but also improves patient care by facilitating seamless service integration.
Quality of Life
The redeveloped hospital is poised to significantly enhance the quality of life for residents of Fort St. James and surrounding areas. Beyond providing state-of-the-art healthcare services, the new build will serve as a community hub, fostering a sense of belonging and support. “This new facility and the services it will provide is just one element of the overall well-being and quality of life for people living in the area,” says Marr. “I hope that community members feel welcomed, understood, and supported when they come into this space,” he says.
The project aims to inspire local residents to pursue careers in healthcare, ensuring that the community is served by its own members. “The best scenario is that community members are being served by community members.”
The new hospital and health care centre is excited to welcome patients and the community into the facility in January 2025.
For more information, please visit https://letstalk.northernhealth.ca/Stuart-Lake-Hospital
