Nicola Valley Hospital expands ER

An expansion and a renovation is planned for the emergency department at the Nicola Valley Hospital and Health Centre.

True Construction was selected for the job. It's a Kamloops-based company and will work with Interior Health, as well as Kasian Architecture Interior Design and Planning Ltd. to complete the job.

The renovation and expansion's completion date is set for the fall of 2018.

While the construction is taking place, there will be a temporary entrance set up next to the existing north side entrance of the hospital. It will allow access to the building. Watch for signage during the construction period.

The cost of the construction is estimated at $6.5 million and is being shared by the Province through Interior Health, the Thompson Regional Hospital District, the Nicola Valley Health Care Endowment Foundation and the Nicola Valley Health Care Auxiliary.

The expansion will help keep up with the demand of patients coming from the busy Coquihalla Highway.

The department will expand by 5,380 square feet from the existing 1,076 square feet.

The goal of the expansion is to improve wait times, patient confidentiality and allow for direct sightlines to patients.

The expansion includes a covered ambulance bay with a dedicated ambulance entrance; confidential triage and registration spaces; expanded trauma and treatment areas, with emphasis on increased privacy and better infection control measures; and a new nurse station, medication room, washrooms and equipment storage.