Lions Gate Hospital Foundation reaches $100 million mark to bring a new era of health care to the North Shore
North Vancouver: Lions Gate Hospital (LGH) Foundation is thrilled to announce that its campaign to build a new state-of-the art, hightech Medical & Surgical Centre has hit the $100 million mark following a whirlwind 23-month fundraising campaign. Since the project was officially launched in February 2017 to replace the current and rapidly aging 50-plus year-old acute care tower, more than 6,418 donors have supported the biggest health care initiative ever seen on the North Shore with gifts ranging from $25 to $25 million.
“It all began with Paul Myers’ $25 million gift to the hospital,” says Judy Savage, President & CEO of Lions Gate Hospital Foundation. “His exceptional gift inspired our community to really get behind this campaign and give what they could. We always believed that the North Shore would answer our call but we have been overwhelmed with the speed with which the money was raised and the generosity and determination that people have shown to help us get the hospital we need. This is a monumental achievement and we owe a debt of gratitude to everyone who contributed.” As well as the leadership gift from Paul Myers, the Foundation received major donations from several prominent local families including a $7 million donation from the Lalji Family, and $5 million donations from Nat & Flora Bosa and Ian & Rosemary Mottershead.
LGH is an important part of the VCH Coastal Community of Care, serving not only the North Shore but also the Sea-to-sky corridor and the surrounding First Nation communities, the Sunshine Coast, Powell River, Bella Bella and Bella Coola on the Central Coast.
The current LGH infrastructure is aging and outdated, with overcrowded wards and small rooms packed with four patient-beds, which makes it difficult for staff to deliver the best quality health care, as well as maintain optimal infection control with cramped rooms and shared bathrooms. Staff are also challenged with aging operating rooms that are too congested to work comfortably and efficiently.
When it is built, the new Medical & Surgical Centre will be one of the most technologically advanced health care facilities in BC. It will feature:
Eight state-of-the-art operating rooms.
108 single patient rooms with ensuite facilities and patient-controlled technology.
A telehealth centre to connect health care professionals with remote patients.
A primary care centre to give residents without a family doctor faster access to non-acute services. A therapeutically-enhanced environment to help reduce patient recovery times and improve visitor comfort. Facilities staff at LGH are currently finalizing floorplans and layout of the new centre. With input from patients and medical staff, the team has created a series of innovative life-sized 3D patient mock-up rooms to develop the most efficient room and equipment configuration and design before the RFQ is sent out.
Construction is currently underway on a new energy plant that will power the new Medical & Surgical Centre. Once it is completed, work on the new facility is scheduled to begin in 2020 with completion slated for 2022.