Construction on the long-awaited BC Cancer centre at Royal Inland Hospital is set to begin next year.
In an anticipated update, BC Minister of Health Adrian Dix visited Kamloops Thursday to deliver the announcement that the business plan for the centre had been approved.
“Approval of the business plan is a critical milestone for this crucial project,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health.
“This state-of-the-art cancer centre will benefit patients in Kamloops and the surrounding area by offering the confidence from knowing that we’re building treatment capacity for now and the future.”
The project budget is approximately $359 million, shared between the provincial government, Interior Health and Thompson Regional Hospital District.
The five-storey facility will be built on the Westlands site on the RIH campus and should be completed by 2028.
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Some of the features in the building will include space for radiation treatment, radiation-therapy planning, including a CT Simulator, an outpatient ambulatory-care unit, including 10 exam rooms.
There will also be two consultation rooms for radiation-therapy services, an additional MRI suite, and patient arrival and check-in areas.
According to the Ministry of Health, the centre will have three linear accelerator vaults, which will contain radiation equipment used for cancer-patient treatment.
Additionally, there will be sacred space for patients, caregivers and staff with features to support traditional ceremonies.
A new 470-stall parkade will also be constructed.
“The new BC Cancer centre in Kamloops will increase our capacity to deliver radiation treatment closer to home for the people of Kamloops and surrounding communities for generations to come,” says Dr. Kim Chi, executive president and chief medical officer for BC Cancer.
Upgrades to RIH to expand cancer care have also been approved, which includes updating and expanding the pharmacy and relocation and expansion of the Community Oncology Network clinic from the either floor to the main floor to utilize bigger space and improved access.
The clinic supports cancer patients with oral and intravenous cancer treatment, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, target therapy and hormonal therapy.
It also provides initial consultation and treatment planning.
“We welcome today’s positive progress update toward building a cancer-care centre in Kamloops, recognizing the need for life-saving cancer treatment closer to home for more than 150,000 residents,” says Mike O’Reilly, chair of the Thompson Regional Hospital District.
“Along with the addition of vital cancer-care equipment, a new parkade will address a significant need at Royal Inland Hospital that is felt today by visitors and staff.”
