New Westminster, B.C. – {March 27, 2018} – Pacific Blue Cross is helping to shine a light on mental health at Royal Columbian Hospital. The benefits provider is contributing $100,000 towards the new Mental Health and Substance Use Wellness Centre, which is currently under construction as part of redevelopment of the hospital.
With its donation to Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation, Pacific Blue Cross is supporting a project that will provide 75 mental health beds, state-of-the-art patient care and increased psychiatric training for the next generation of caregivers. It will include Fraser Health’s first older adult psychiatric unit, a psychiatric high acuity unit, and new and expanded outpatient clinics, all to replace the aging 30-bed Sherbrooke Centre.
“With our new mental health centre, we are creating an ideal environment for patients that is inviting, soothing, and spacious,” says Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation President and CEO Jeff Norris. “With its major investment, Pacific Blue Cross is making a meaningful and healthy difference in the lives of British Columbians and helping to set the stage for mental health care for decades to come.”
Through the Pacific Blue Cross Health Foundation, the company supports organizations that help improve outcomes in the area of chronic disease and mental illness. Their approach to social responsibility was established through input and consultation with their employees and with the community.
“Since 2011, the Pacific Blue Cross Health Foundation has supported more than 150 non-profit organizations working to improve health and wellbeing in British Columbia,” says Pacific Blue Cross chair Richard Taylor. “We recognize the significant impact the new mental health centre will have on patient care throughout the region.”
Opening in 2020, the Mental Health and Substance Use Wellness Centre is part of phase one of a multi-phase $1.3 billion redevelopment at Royal Columbian Hospital. Phase one is budgeted at $258.9 million. Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation is raising $9.1 million in support of the new mental health facility.
Subsequent phases of redevelopment will see the construction of an acute care tower that includes a new emergency department, more operating rooms and interventional suites, more inpatient beds and an underground parkade. Existing buildings will also be upgraded.
Your care is critical
At Royal Columbian, the most seriously ill and injured get their greatest chance at life. We are the only hospital in BC with trauma, cardiac, neurosciences, high-risk maternity and neonatal intensive care on one site. We look after some of the most seriously ill and injured patients, and we do it with the support of donors like you.
Since 1978, donors to Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation have helped fund priority equipment needs, facility enhancements, research, education and innovation at Royal Columbian Hospital.
