Latest news from the Cowichan District Hospital Replacement Project
December 4: Innovation and inclusivity for accessible care journeys at the future Cowichan District Hospital
A huge thanks to Cowichan community member Mitch and guide dog Mario for joining us at the new CDH construction trailer. The project’s Inclusive Diversity Focus Group created innovative, 3D tactile tour models so Mitch could review the hospital plans and share how the design for the new hospital can support positive care journeys for people who are blind or partially sighted. Read more.
November 10: Vancouver Island University students visit the New Cowichan District Hospital Site
The project team was delighted to host students from Vancouver Island University's Women and Indigenous Peoples in Trades and Construction Foundation at the new Cowichan District Hospital Site construction site.
As one of the region's most innovative and multifaceted capital infrastructure projects, we are proud to support training and employment opportunities for the next generation of skilled trades teams on Vancouver Island.
Fun fact: Depending on the trade, people who begin as first year apprentices on the project this year can potentially become a Journeyperson by the time the new hospital is completed, and will be ready to take on the next capital infrastructure project in Vancouver Island communities.
October 18th: Fall 2023 Virtual Community Update
Thank you to all who joined us on Zoom and to all who submitted questions on Slido and during the info session. For those unable to tune in live, please see the following recording. Time stamps are noted below the video.
Time stamps:
- Introductions, Territory Acknowledgment - Westley Davidson, Island Health
- Construction progress, timelines - Sean Quimby, EllisDon - 3:25
- Clinical updates, current to future services, mock-up room reviews - Dr. Pat Gallagher, Island Health - 6:43
- Indigenous participation, Indigenous Advisory Committee, community-led, Indigenous informed cultural safety videos, journey mapping sessions - Jennifer Jones, Island Health - 14:30
- Environmental Sustainability features - Iain MacFadyen, ZGF Architects 18:20
- Cowichan District Hospital Foundation update - Naomi Low, CDH Foundation 30:38
- BC Infrastructure Benefits - Skilled trades workforce and opportunities - Greg Johnson, BCIB 34:26
- Operational Readiness, Cowichan Health & Care Plan, the road to day 1 - Alice Gelpke, Island Health 37:26
- Questions & Answers - 41:35
- Audience Poll - 1:02:35
- Closing acknowledgments - 1:03:55
October 11, 2023: Join us for a Zoom info session on October 18 at 11:30 a.m.
The Cowichan District Hospital Replacement Project team invites all community members to a live Zoom webinar on Wednesday, October 18 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
We're excited to bring you behind the scenes for an update on the progress of the new facility, with a focus on environmental sustainability. You'll also hear from our partners at the Cowichan District Hospital Foundation, whose members generously support exceptional care in Cowichan, and BC Infrastructure Benefits, the employer for the skilled trade workforce building your new CDH.
Click here to join the Zoom webinar. Presentation will begin at 11:30 a.m., followed by a question and answer session.
Visit Slido and enter code #NewCDH to submit your questions in advance and our panelists will answer them during the Zoom Q&A.Please note that the webinar will be recorded for those unable to attend the live session. Email us for more information.
Download the event flyer.
September 30, 2023
Site crews building the future CDH honoured National Day for Truth and Reconciliation by wearing orange shirts, participating in Reconciliation events and raising awareness. Site crews and sub-trades also helped raise an orange shirt and red dress high above the site on Saturday, in collaboration with community members and colleagues whose loved ones survived residential schools.
At the current CDH, Jennifer Jones, project director, Indigenous Relations, Cowichan Tribes elder, Doreen Peter, and Garrett Elliott, CI manager, Indigenous Health, co-hosted a cultural safety workshop for hospital staff. This virtual and in-person event offered opportunities to learn about the local Indigenous communities that CDH serves, cultural traditions specific to the people of the Cowichan Valley, and resources for supporting culturally safe care.
The hospital continued its focus on Cultural Safety throughout the weekend. On September 30, there was a site-wide honouring of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation with a traditional Indigenous meal for lunch; including fish soup, salmon, and bannock. Each tray was accompanied by a bookmark or sticker with “Every Child Matters" artwork and an info sheet describing the day's significance.
The Project is pleased to include an Indigenous Kitchen in the future CDH to support culturally safe care journeys for Indigenous patients and families.
September 15-17, 2023
The CDH Replacement Project team, recruitment teams and CDH Foundation staff had a spectacular time at the Cowichan Exhibition fall fair! Those who stopped by our ‘pop up’ information booth received guided tours through the project’s architectural renderings, blue prints and answers to their questions regarding the new hospital build.
Representatives from Island Health Clinical Operations, CDH replacement project Indigenous Relations, and Recruitment were on hand to share how this exciting new addition to the Cowichan valley is continuing to unfold. Active recruitment campaigns continue to focus on hiring clinical staff for the current hospital site, opportunities for new grads and a myriad of opportunities to help build the new CDH as part of the skilled trades teams with BC Infrastructure Benefits.
Thank you to all who stopped by to chat with us. We're already looking forward to the next one! Find more pictures at our Flickr album below.
August 30, 2023
You don’t need wings to fly through the new Cowichan District Hospital. Join us for an uplifting tour of the future Diagnostic & Treatment Centre, Patient Registration and lounge spaces, Emergency Department and an inpatient unit, and get a sense of what the new facility will look like when it opens for patient care in 2027.
Construction teams are also making amazing strides at the site on Bell McKinnon Road. We’ve started to come up and out of the ground as the crews work on the “slab on grade” portion of the Diagnostic & Treatment Centre. Check out our summer update to catch up on the progress to date and meet some of the people who share a passion for creating a new hospital that works for patients, staff and the environment.
June 28, 2023
The summer edition of Island Health Magazine shines a light on all of the people and programs that are working to improve health and care for people in Cowichan communities. This season's edition features:
- An update on the new CDH (p.5)
- An introduction to the construction industry's first Project Elder and Indigenous Cultural Advisor (p.8)
- Supporters of the Cowichan District Hospital Foundation (p.9)
- An overview of the Cowichan Health & Care Plan, a community-centred approach that is helping patients manage their health at home or in community while avoiding hospital admissions (p.10)
- Learning from Indigenous knowledge in Cowichan: research projects to improve access to culturally safe care in Cowichan (p.14)
- Rethinking our relationship with water - a discussion about the importance of protecting and conserving this critical resource, featuring Dr. Shannon Waters, Cowichan Valley Medical Health Officer) p.28)
- Summer recipes, job opportunities and much more!
June 28: CDHRP Team in the community
Members of the Cowichan District Hospital Nutsa'maat Alliance had a spectacular time chatting with everyone who visited our pop-up info table at the Duncan Farmers Market on June 24 and the Cowichan Valley Job Fair at the construction site on June 26!
It was a pleasure to share the architectural renderings with the community, answer questions about the new CDH and support job seekers to reach their employment goals in construction and healthcare. A HUGE thank you to all who joined us at these events and to our hiring partners working on the new hospital and other exciting projects across Cowichan.
Learn more about the project (including job opportunities!) at Cowichan District Hospital Replacement Project.
June 15: Celebrating National Indigenous Peoples Day
The Cowichan District Hospital Replacement Team is grateful to have had the opportunity to gather with Indigenous community members, vendors and Island Health staff at Cowichan District Hospital on June 15, 2023, to participate in an early National Indigenous Peoples Day event to recognize, celebrate and honour the Indigenous peoples whose histories and cultures are rooted in this land.
Celebrating National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 15, 2023 at Cowichan District Hospital
June 26: Job Fair - Mark your calendar!
This event is a unique opportunity for local job seekers to connect with representatives from various employers who are actively recruiting, explore potential career paths, and learn about current and future employment prospects in the region.
June 24: Farmer's Market
May 26
It’s springtime and construction on the new Cowichan District Hospital is in full bloom! Watch this short video and learn about the Nutsa’maat Alliance, the integrated team delivering this exciting project. See what the site crew has been up to so far in 2023 and find out how you can join the construction or healthcare teams who are working to build a community of care in a community that cares.
May 18
Check out the amazing photo that was taken at 6775 Bell McKinnon Road: Photo of the Week.
May 2
The Cowichan District Hospital Replacement Project team finished the largest concrete pour for the new hospital! With three 52-metre-tall concrete pumps and an average of 19 concrete trucks arriving at site per hour from 5 a.m. until 6:30 p.m., 30 workers unloaded an impressive 2,220 cubic metres of concrete.
This remarkable team even completed the pour five hours ahead of schedule. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this milestone and to the neighbours of North Cowichan for their patience as we completed this important work.
February 2
Virtual Info Session - Check out the renderings for your new hospital! The Project team thanks all who joined us for a live Zoom webinar on Thursday, February 2 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. We have recorded the session for those who may have missed it, and are always happy to hear your feedback.
Contact newcdh@islandhealth.ca for more information.
January
Site prep work is underway at the future hospital location on Bell McKinnon Road. We are preparing the site for excavation and will be providing a community update in the not too distant future. Stay tuned for more details on this page, or email newcdh@islandhealth.ca to receive project updates.
2022
- Harvesting Opportunities
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April 29: Cowichan Tribes share harvest opportunities at site of the new Cowichan District Hospital
Every now and then, a day comes along to remind us about the importance of partnership and community. For members of the CDH Replacement Project team, April 29 was one of those days.
- Call for Patient Partners
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January 25: Thank you to all who responded to our call for Volunteer Patient Partners! We are reviewing your areas of interest and expertise and will be reaching out to applicants in the coming weeks.
2021
- Fall Project Update
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December 2: Fall 2021 Project Update
This is the place to find out what we’ve been up to and what lies ahead. Inside this edition:
Behind the scenes – The CDH Mental Health & Substance Use team shares how expanded spaces in the future hospital will support better care experiences for patients and families
Patient Partners needed – Find out how you can volunteer to review proposed design solutions during the design and construction phase Joe Elliott, project director for Indigenous engagement, discusses the importance of Indigenous participation and culture safety; and more news you can use to stay up-to-date on the Cowichan District Hospital replacement project.
- Call for Patient Partner Volunteers
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November 16: Volunteer Patient Partners Needed
Lend your voice to the new Cowichan District Hospital (CDH)! Patient Partner volunteers are needed to help inform the design of the new CDH. Island Health is seeking patient partners who would like to join the Cowichan District Hospital Replacement Project Patient Partnership Group (PPG) to help the team ensure the new hospital reflects Island Health’s vision to provide excellent health and care to everyone, everywhere, every time.
As a patient partner, you will help provide input into the design of the new hospital by working with program user groups representing Ambulatory Care, Emergency, Paediatrics, Perioperative, Maternity, Medical/Surgical Inpatient Units and Mental Health & Substance Use, Medical Imaging and others.
Please join us in this exciting opportunity to help shape your new hospital! To learn more, visit our posting on the Patient Voices Network (kindly RSVP by December 15).
- Virtual Info Session
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October 27: Community Info Session
The Cowichan District Hospital Replacement Project and Island Health Cowichan Valley leadership team invite all community members to a live Zoom webinar on Wednesday, October 27 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
The presentation will begin at 6 p.m., followed by a question and answer session.
Visit www.sli.do and enter code #newcdhinfo to submit your questions in advance and our panelists will answer them during the Zoom Q&A.
Please note that the webinar will be recorded for those unable to attend the live session. Email newcdh@islandhealth.ca for more information. (See below for video).
- Site Surveying at Bell McKinnon & Herd Road
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October 12-22: Site Surveying in the Bell McKinnon & Herd Road area (map included)
The Cowichan District Hospital Replacement Project proponents will be conducting surveys of the surface features along Bell McKinnon and Herd Road during this time.
Ground surveys will be conducted October 12-15. Drone surveys over the new hospital site, Bell McKinnon and Herd Road will be conducted October 18-22 (daytime weather dependent). Altitude: 30-100 metres. Noise: 75db.
All necessary permits have been obtained and drone operation will comply with all Transport Canada regulations.
- B2B Networking Opportunity
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September 22: Business to Business Networking Event
Infrastructure BC is inviting local contractors, suppliers and businesses who might be interested in working with, or providing products and services to the successful proponent team regarding the Cowichan District Hospital Replacement Project. This virtual event also allows the prospective proponent teams to enhance their knowledge, understanding, and awareness of local services available, and to build relationships with local contractors, suppliers, and businesses.
- Community Info Session
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June 23: Community Info Session on June 30
COWICHAN VALLEY – The Cowichan District Hospital Replacement Project and Island Health Cowichan Valley leadership team invite all community members to a live Zoom webinar on Wednesday, June 30 from 6:00pm to 7:30pm.
The presentation will begin at 6:00pm, followed by a question and answer session.
Visit www.sli.do and enter code #newcdh to submit your questions in advance and our panelists will answer them during the Zoom Q&A.
Please note that the webinar will be recorded for those unable to attend the live session. Email newcdh@islandhealth.ca for more information, or click the thumbnail below to view the recording. In recognition of A Day to Listen: Amplifying Indigenous Voices during Indigenous History Month, we are grateful to be joined by Cowichan Tribes Elder, Ron George, who will be providing an opening prayer for this session. We are also pleased to feature a project update from Joe Elliott, project director for Indigenous engagement.
- Summer Project Update
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June 10: Cowichan District Hospital Replacement Project Update
- BC Government News Release & Video
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April 1: Next steps taken for new Cowichan District Hospital - BC Government Media Release
NORTH COWICHAN - Cowichan Tribes unceded traditional territory - People in the Cowichan Valley are closer to a modern hospital as significant milestones have been reached, including the land transfer and the issuing of a request for proposals (RFP).
“Now more than ever, we recognize the critical importance of our health-care system, and our commitment to replace Cowichan District Hospital acknowledges the priority we place on timely access to high quality health-care services close to home,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health. “These key milestones bring us closer to getting shovels in the ground to bring the very best health-care facility to the growing communities of the Cowichan Valley.”
- Land Transfer Ceremony
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March 25: Land Transfer for a New CDH acknowledging Cowichan Tribes unceded traditional territory.
Cowichan Tribes Councillor and Elder Albie Charlie met with Island Health President & CEO Kathy MacNeil and Cowichan Valley Regional Hospital District Chair Aaron Stone to commemorate the land transfer for the new Cowichan District Hospital. As project partners, we gratefully acknowledge these lands belong to the Cowichan Tribes people and we commit to working and walking respectfully beside one another as we build a new place of healing.
2020
- Request for Qualifications
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December 18: Cowichan District Hospital Replacement Project Request for Qualifications Issued
2019
- Fall Update
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December 9: Cowichan Valley Health & Care Fall 2019 Update Find out what we’ve learned from Indigenous communities, how we’re planning for an environmentally responsible facility, and hear how the Perinatal Working Group is incorporating community feedback into their plans for a new CDH.
- Patient Partner Focus Group
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September 11: Patient Partners needed for a focus group in October. Thank you to those patient partners who joined us on September 23.
- Summer Update
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August 27: Cowichan Valley Health & Care, summer 2019 update Read how local care teams & Cowichan Valley citizens are contributing towards the new hospital plans and are working together to set the stage for healthier communities and a sustainable healthcare system.
- Spring Update
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May 3: Cowichan District Hospital Replacement Project business plan update A behind the scenes look at our first master site planning meeting.
- Planning for better health in Cowichan
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April: A Different Perspective for Hospitals Dr. Shannon Waters discusses the benefits of planning for a health promoting hospital in the Cowichan Valley.
- Patient Partners needed
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Feb: Patient partner volunteers needed for Cowichan District Hospital Replacement Project engagement session in early March.
2018
- Notice for Bell McKinnon neighbours
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December: Notice for Neighbours of Bell McKinnon, Anzio, Westcott & Norcross Road: Low level helicopter flight over proposed hospital site on Monday, December 10, 2018.
- Drop-in Community Info Sessions
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November: Drop-in Community Information Sessions happening throughout the Cowichan Valley.
- Notice for Bell McKinnon neighbours
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October: Notice for Bell McKinnon Neighbours Minor activity at the Proposed Hospital Site on Bell McKinnon Road.
