Kootenay East Regional Hospital District

The Kootenay East Regional Hospital District Board held its annual election for Chair and Acting Chair today, and both incumbents were re-elected by acclamation.

Sparwood Mayor David Wilks will serve his fifth term as Chair. “This is an exciting time in the region with a number of large and impactful projects underway or on the horizon,” says Wilks. “I appreciate the continued support of my fellow Directors in my role as Chair and look forward to continuing to work on behalf of the Hospital District and with Interior Health in the year ahead.”

Regional District of Central Kootenay Electoral Area A Director Garry Jackman will serve as Acting Chair, also for a fifth term. “Chair Wilks and I have a strong working relationship, and I look forward to another productive year with Chair Wilks, the Board, staff and Interior Health,” says Jackman.

The Kootenay East Regional Hospital District provides up to 40 percent of capital funding for acute care facilities in the region for equipment and facility construction and renovation.

The Hospital District includes the entire RDEK as well as the Towns of Golden and Creston, and the portions of the Regional Districts of Central Kootenay and Columbia Shuswap surrounding those municipalities.

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The Kootenay East Regional Hospital District (KERHD) Board of Directors has committed an additional $15 million in funding to advance the construction of a third floor on the already-approved two-story Oncology/Renal Project at East Kootenay Regional Hospital (EKRH) and demonstrate strong support for needed improvements at the hospital.

“We have been strong advocates of the expanded Renal/Oncology project for several years and committed funding well before it was formally announced to help influence the province in making this needed project a reality,” says KERHD Board Chair David Wilks. “Further, we recently worked to secure a $15 million funding commitment from Elk Valley Resources for the building project. While we are excited to see the Renal/Oncology project approved and moving into the design stage, we are disheartened that a third floor was not being considered as part of the project because we believe it is critically important.”

Following tours of the hospital and a plea with Interior Health and the Province to include a third floor in the project scope, Minister for Infrastructure, the Honourable Bowinn Ma, has advised the Ministry has no funding for a third floor, which is estimated at $30 million, so it has not been included in current design. “We know this is our one shot at getting a third floor. If they construct two floors without the third, this opportunity is gone and with it, the critically needed space to make a meaningful and long-term difference to the staff and patients at EKRH,” adds Wilks. “Our hospital is teetering on the brink. There is overcrowding, we don’t have trauma rooms, the Emergency Room needs to be expanded to the point the former waiting room is now being used to treat people, the lab is impacted, there are bed shortages, there is not proper space for respiratory and pulmonary services, and the list goes on. These are all pressures within a fragile system. We can’t lose sight of who is impacted by these pressures: people – including every doctor, nurse, patient, lab tech, family member, employee, and visitor in that hospital. We have a huge opportunity before us to think – and act – long-term to make a true difference.”

To that end, the KERHD Board approved up to $15 million in funding for the cost of adding a third floor on the Oncology/Renal Project subject to the $15 million from Elk Valley Resources also being allocated to this addition to the project. “This is as much of a win-win as we could ask for. Minister Ma has stated if we come up with the funding, her ministry is prepared to help pursue support for this project. We have now done that and look forward to seeing the third floor become a reality,” adds Wilks.

The KERHD had previously approved nearly $23.2 million for the $57.9 Oncology/Renal Expansion Project, which includes a two-floor building and 12 dedicated patient parking stalls.

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The Kootenay East Regional Hospital District (KERHD) Board of Directors has approved additional funding of over $30.2 million for the F.W. Green Memorial Home Redevelopment in Cranbrook to ensure this important project continues to move forward.

Interior Health recently informed the Board that new cost estimates for the project have seen projected construction costs go from $156 million to $232 million and requested the Hospital District fund 40% of the $76 million difference. “Every single member of our Board fully supports this project. We all recognize how critical these new long-term beds are for our region and how much residents of this facility deserve the quality-of-life improvements that will come with this new space. But these are staggering numbers,” explains KERHD Board Chair David Wilks. Previously, the KERHD approved a full 40% funding, or $62.5 million dollars, toward the project making it the single largest capital investment the Hospital District has ever made. This additional request would push that contribution to $92.8 million.

Hospital Districts can choose, but are not required, to contribute to capital projects at hospital facilities, with the standard funding share being 40%. However, in a phone call and subsequent letter to the Board dated July 9, the Honourable Bowinn Ma, Minister for Infrastructure, made it clear that the F.W. Green Home Project continuing depends on the KERHD Board contributing the full 40% share, including this additional funding.

“We as KERHD Directors were taken aback by the magnitude of the difference in estimated project costs, and the lack of consultation given the significance of our financial contribution as partners in this project. There were concerns about the impact on taxpayers and, given the sharp and continued cost escalations we’ve already been subjected to, that this could create further risk. So, this was a challenging decision for this Board to make,” stresses Wilks. “In the end, recognizing the impact this project will have on families, on the clients who will call this new space home, to the regional hospital where beds are being occupied by long-term care patients due to a shortage of long-term care spaces, and to the staff at both the hospital and long-term care homes, we voted to support the additional $30.2 million funding request to ensure this project moves forward for our region.”

The KERHD covers an area from Golden to Creston and the Elk Valley and provides capital funding for hospital facilities in the region for equipment and facility construction and renovation. The KERHD Board of Directors is comprised of representatives of every municipality and electoral area within the hospital district.

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REPOSTED FROM: INTERIOR HEALTH

More people living in the East Kootenay region will have access to high-quality long-term care as Interior Health prepares to build a new care community with 148 beds.

“As people age, they want to be able to receive high-quality health-care services, including long-term care,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health. “That’s why we are building a new care community that will provide more long-term care beds and community services in Cranbrook. Seniors and their loved ones will have peace of mind knowing they will be supported with the care they need, close to home.”

With the Kootenay East Regional Hospital District and community partners, Interior Health will construct a new four-storey long-term care facility at 1700 4 St. South, Cranbrook. The new building will replace the 60-bed Dr. F.W. Green Memorial Home, which is approximately 70 years old. The new facility will add an additional 88 long-term care (LTC) beds, for a total of 148 beds.

The project will begin soon with procurement. Construction is expected to start in 2025. Phase 1 is anticipated to open in 2027, relocating all existing residents and making way for Phase 2 to accept new residents in 2029.

“The expansion and upgrade to the Dr. F.W. Green Memorial Home will provide a new and modern building for our seniors in the Cranbrook area,” said Susan Brown, president and CEO, Interior Health. “As well, our staff will benefit from modern technologies and improved workflow in the new building.”

This new care-community model takes lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic into account with designs using the new best-practice infection-control standards. This model improves pandemic resiliency, while being culturally sensitive to serve a diverse population.

The care home will be designed as “households” accommodating 12 to 18 residents. Each resident will have a single-bed room with dedicated washroom. The “households” will include the social and recreational spaces found in a typical home-like environment, such as a living room, dining room, activity space and access to the outdoors.

There will also be community spaces and services for residents, families, visitors and staff, including activity rooms, a hair salon, sacred space and a 25-space adult day program for people living more independently in the community. As well, a child care space will be constructed with capacity for 37 children.

The capital cost of the project is $156.5 million to be funded jointly between the Province through Interior Health and the Kootenay East Regional Hospital District. The care community will be constructed, owned and operated by Interior Health.

LTC communities provide care and supervision for people with complex care needs, who can no longer live safely and independently at home, through a range of services delivered by well-trained, compassionate and caring staff.

To meet growing demand during the past five years, government has invested approximately $2 billion to expand and improve quality care for seniors in British Columbia, including investments in primary care, home health, LTC and assisted living.

Quotes:

Harwinder Sandhu, Parliamentary Secretary for Seniors’ Services and Long-Term Care –

“Ensuring that seniors have access to long-term care in their communities is critically important to bettering the health and well-being of older adults in our province. Increasing long-term care capacity in Cranbrook will allow seniors to remain in their community, near their families and loved ones, helping them to stay connected, while receiving the high-quality health services and care that people need.”

Jennifer Rice, Parliamentary Secretary for Rural Health –

“Seniors deserve to have access to top-quality care, no matter where in B.C. they live. By adding long-term care beds in rural communities like Cranbrook, we’re helping seniors to remain in their home communities. This facility is another demonstration of our government taking action to improve health equity throughout the province.”

David Wilks, chair, Kootenay East Regional Hospital District –

“The Kootenay East Regional Hospital District has been a strong supporter of this project for many years and has committed $63 million to help make it a reality. Not only will it create additional, much-needed access to long-term care in our region, it will also provide quality care in an environment that supports quality of life for residents, which is critically important.”

Susan Blake, community integrated care co-ordinator, Dr. F.W. Green Memorial Home –

“With a new, modern site, the benefits for our residents and our staff will be great. The home-like environment will go a long way in better supporting residents, particularly when it comes to memory care. We’re all looking forward to the new long-term care home that will increase our occupancy and have a positive impact to our wider community.”

Click this link to view the news release

BACKGROUNDER:

Investments in long-term care around B.C.
Since 2017, the Province has invested approximately $2 billion to expand and improve quality care for seniors in British Columbia, including investments in primary care, home health, assisted living and long-term care.

New long-term care (LTC) projects include:

• Colwood LTC – 306 beds
  • Vancouver (St. Vincent’s) LTC – 240 beds
• Delta LTC – 200 beds
  • Richmond LTC – 158 beds
• Abbotsford LTC – 200 beds
• Campbell River LTC – 153 beds
• Vernon LTC – 90 beds
• Nelson LTC – 75 beds
• Comox Dementia Village – 155 beds
• Dogwood Lodge LTC (Vancouver) – 150 beds
• Ocean Front Village LTC (Comox Valley) – 126 beds

It was an emotional farewell at the February Kootenay East Regional Hospital District Board Meeting as Chair Dean McKerracher announced that he would not be re-running for the Chair’s position, and will retire from politics in October after 20 years of public service.

“I’ve spent 17 years as Mayor in Elkford and 17 on the Kootenay East Regional Hospital District Board, including three as KERHD Acting Chair under John Kettle and the past seven as Chair.  It has been an honour and a privilege to serve this region and to work the past and present Directors. I’d also like to acknowledge and thank Bill Bennett for his assistance over the years on all of our projects,” says McKerracher. “Looking back there are many things we, the KERHD Board, accomplished in partnership with Interior Health including a new Intensive Care Unit at East Kootenay Regional Hospital, the new MRI unit, creating a reserve fund for capital works projects and many other projects that I’m incredibly proud of.”

Following McKerracher’s retirement announcement, the annual elections for Chair and Acting Chair were held with Sparwood Mayor David Wilks defeated Fernie Mayor Ange Qualizza to become KERHD Chair for the coming year.  This will be his first term as Chair; however, he has been Acting Chair for the past three years. “Dean and I have worked exceptionally well together over the years, and I look forward to continuing to build on the positive momentum we have around this table and with our partners at Interior Health,” says Wilks. “I am excited to take on this new role and to work with the Acting Chair and Board as we advocate for projects that will improve the quality of health care for the residents of this region.”

Regional District of Central Kootenay Electoral Area A Director Garry Jackman was elected by acclamation as Acting Chair for the coming year. “Though I have been at the KERHD table for many years, this will be my first term as Acting Chair and I’m very much looking forward to the opportunity and year ahead,” says Jackman.

The KERHD covers an area from Golden to Creston and the Elk Valley and funds up to 40% capital funding for acute care facilities in the region for equipment and facility construction and renovation.  The KERHD Board of Directors is comprised of representatives of every municipality and electoral area within the hospital district.

Pictured: Outgoing KEHRD Chair Dean McKerracher (left) with newly elected KERHD Chair David Wilks

Hospital District Keeps an Eye on the Future

The Kootenay East Regional Hospital District continues to plan ahead for large infrastructure projects to ensure funds are available when needed.

After several years of a zero percent increase in taxes, the KERHD Board of Directors approved a plan in 2020 to prepare for projects anticipated in the next 10 to 20 years. “This plan included taxation increases of $30 on the average residential property in each year 2020, 2021 and 2022,” explains CFO Holly Ronnquist. “Planning ahead for these large capital infrastructure projects now will reduce the amount of borrowing in the future and put monies saved on interest to these important projects.”

Interior Health is currently working on a business plan for the Green Home, a long term care home in Cranbrook. If the project goes forward it will see a complete rebuild of the structure and an increase in the number of beds from 60 to 130 (an increase of 70 beds). The KERHD’s share of that project is currently estimated to be $24 million.

The KERHD Board approved a motion in 2017 to support large infrastructure projects at the East Kootenay Regional Hospital for the laboratory, pharmacy, dialysis and oncology. Although no amount has been formally committed, the KERHD’s share of these projects is estimated to be over $100 million.

While Hospitals in Golden and Fernie haven’t seen significant investment in infrastructure in the last 20 years, the KERHD will be asked to fund a portion of these anticipated renewal projects sometime in the future.

In 2021, KERHD taxation on the average residential property assessed at $326,743 is $104.
“With property taxes arriving in mailboxes over the next few weeks, we felt it was important to communicate with residents within the KERHD boundary to let them know what to expect on their tax notice this year and the important projects those funds support,” adds Ronnquist.

The Kootenay East Regional Hospital District (KERHD) covers a large area from Golden to Creston and the Elk Valley and funds up to 40% capital funding for acute care facilities in the region for equipment and facility construction and renovation. The Hospital District has a large Board of Directors comprised of representatives of every municipality and electoral area within the hospital district who make decisions on funding and taxation. Administration of KERHD is carried out by the Regional District of East Kootenay.

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The Kootenay East Regional Hospital District Board held its annual election for Chair and Vice Chair Friday and both incumbents were re-elected.

This will be Elkford Mayor Dean McKerracher’s seventh term as Chair. “We have a diverse Board that works well together, and I am honoured to have been re-elected as Chair. I look forward to continuing to work on behalf of the Hospital District and with Interior Health in the year ahead.”

Sparwood Mayor David Wilks will serve as Acting Chair for a third term. “I appreciate the support of my fellow Directors and look forward to another productive year with Chair McKerracher, the Board, staff and Interior Health,” says Wilks.

The Kootenay East Regional Hospital District provides up to 40 percent capital funding for acute care facilities in the region for equipment and facility construction and renovation.

The Hospital District includes the entire RDEK as well as the Towns of Golden and Creston, and the portions of the Regional Districts of Central Kootenay and Columbia Shuswap surrounding those municipalities.

The Kootenay East Regional Hospital District Board has elected its Chair and Acting Chair for the coming year.

Elkford Mayor Dean McKerracher has been re-elected Chair for a fifth term. “We have been very successful over the past year in our operations and in developing our facilities and I look to continuing to develop those facilites,” says McKerracher. “We are proud of our relationship with Interior Health and I look forward to continuing to build on that strong foundation.”

One of the projects KERHD has been advocating for is the redevelopment of the oncology, pharmacy, renal and lab areas at the East Kootenay Regional Hospital.  “As a board, we have been actively supporting this project. We proactively passed a motion in November 2017 to contribute 40% funding once the project moves forward. We are looking forward to seeing the oncology and pharmacy pieces move forward in 2019 and to seeing a master plan completed for the facility that will include a long term plans for the lab and renal services,” adds McKerracher.

Sparwood Mayor David Wilks has been elected as Acting Chair. “It is great to be back on the Hospital District Board. I am grateful to my fellow directors for their confidence in me and I look forward to the opportunity to serve as Acting Chair in the coming year,” says Wilks.

The Kootenay East Regional Hospital District provides up to 40 percent capital funding for acute care facilities in the region for equipment and facility construction and renovation.

The Hospital District extends beyond the boundaries of the RDEK to include the Towns of Golden and Creston, and the portions of the Regional Districts of Central Kootenay and Columbia Shuswap surrounding those municipalities.

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.0.47″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.47″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”]Residents of East Kootenay now have increased access to diagnostic testing within the region with a new, permanent MRI machine, which began operating at East Kootenay Regional Hospital on June 11.

“This new permanent MRI service will more than double the number of exams performed at East Kootenay Regional Hospital, increasing access for hundreds of East Kootenay residents closer to home,” says Health Minister Adrian Dix. “The new MRI supports our B.C. Surgical and Diagnostic Imaging Strategy and is part of our commitment to an approximate 20 per cent increase in MRI exams across BC this year, which will reduce the uncertainty and pain caused by long waits for this important diagnostic service.”

Interior Health expects MRI testing in Cranbrook will increase from approximately 1,300 to more than 3,000 annual exams.

“MRI is a critical medical imaging tool that assists our clinicians in making a clear diagnosis for their patients,” says Interior Health Board Chair Dr. Doug Cochrane. “This is great news for residents of the East Kootenay, who will have access to this testing sooner and receive the definitive treatment they need faster.”

Total project cost – for the MRI suite and the MRI machine – was $5.65 million. The Province/Interior Health contributed $2.21 million; Kootenay East Regional Hospital District (KERHD) $2.14 million; East Kootenay Foundation for Health (EKFH) $650,000 – which included a $100,000 contribution from the Kimberley Health Care Auxiliary, $50,000 from the Invermere Health Care Auxiliary, $25,000 from the Elk Valley Foundation, and $100,000 from the Fostering the Future Foundation; and Cranbrook Health Care Auxiliary (CHCA) $650,000.

“Our Board is committed to supporting projects that have a direct impact on patient care in this region, and we are proud to be funding partners on this vital new service,” says KERHD Board Chair Dean McKerracher. “We would like to thank the Ministry of Health, Interior Health and all the other funders who’ve joined together to make this project a reality.”

“Over the past number of years we have received countless questions about when our region would get a permanent MRI. Supporting the MRI project was a no-brainer for the East Kootenay Foundation for Health, as it will greatly improve health care in our region,” says Wes Rogers, EKFH board chair. “Thanks to the excitement about this campaign and the generosity of our donors, we reached our $650,000 goal in just five months.”

Auxiliary volunteers and donors also got 100 per cent behind its $650,000 fundraising campaign.

“Cranbrook Health Care Auxiliary’s entire membership was in full support of contributing toward the MRI installation from the moment we learned that it was possible for our regional hospital,” said Bonnie Close, past president. “The members worked hard to raise funds and they appreciate all the contributions received towards this special project.”

In March 2018, government announced a surgical and diagnostic imaging strategy, which will improve timely access to surgery through a more efficient surgical system, and will help the Province catch up with and keep up with demand, starting with hip and knee replacement surgery and dental surgery. It will also improve the patient’s experience, by focusing on improving surgical pathways, co-ordination of care and information provided to patients. As part of the strategy, Interior Health will also see a 25.5% increase in MRI exams, for a total of 26,000 in 2018-19. Approximately $11 million in funding is being made available to increase MRI capacity provincewide in the public-health system, and achieve a total of 225,000 MRI exams in 2018-19.

The new permanent MRI machine replaces a shared mobile MRI unit that previously served East Kootenay Regional Hospital for one week every four weeks. The shared mobile unit will now provide improved access to MRI testing at Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital in Trail and Penticton Regional Hospital.

TA Rendek and Associates Ltd. was the general contractor who oversaw the construction of the new MRI space – an approximate 200 square metre (2,150 square foot) addition on the east side of EKRH adjacent to the intensive care unit.

Background

MRI, or Magnetic Resonance Imaging, is a safe and painless test that uses a magnetic field and radio waves to produce detailed pictures of the body’s organs and structures. MRIs are used to diagnose a number of medical conditions, including abnormalities of the brain, as well as tumors, cysts and soft-tissue injuries in other parts of the body. MRI scans are important diagnostic tools that do not use radiation; however, other types of diagnostic imaging – x-ray, ultrasound, or computed tomography (CT) – are more appropriate tools for many types of medical conditions.

In addition to the mobile MRI unit, Interior Health has MRI units at Kelowna General Hospital and Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops. Permanent MRI machines have been approved for Penticton Regional Hospital and Vernon Jubilee Hospital, both of which are expected to become operational in 2019.
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The Kootenay East Regional Hospital District Board has elected its Chair and Vice Chair for the coming year.

Elkford Mayor Dean McKerracher has been re-elected Chair for a fourth term. “I thank my fellow Directors for their continued confidence in me and I look forward to serving another year,” says McKerracher. “We are proud of our relationship with Interior Health and look forward to continuing to work together to ensure our residents have access to the equipment and acute health care facilities they need.”

One of the larger projects KERHD has provided funding support for in the coming year is the Oncology, Pharmacy and Lab project this year at East Kootenay Regional Hospital.  “We are looking forward to seeing this project move forward,” adds McKerracher.

Regional District of Central Kootenay Electoral Area C Director Larry Binks has been re-elected as Acting Chair. “I look forward to working with Chair McKerracher and the entire Board and appreciate the opportunity to serve,” says Binks.

The Kootenay East Regional Hospital District provides up to 40 percent capital funding for acute care facilities in the region for equipment and facility construction and renovation.

The Hospital District extends beyond the boundaries of the RDEK to include the Towns of Golden and Creston, and the portions of the Regional Districts of Central Kootenay and Columbia Shuswap surrounding those municipalities.