Sally Wang
Prince Rupert’s newly revamped emergency department is officially open, bringing improvements and an expanded setting to the city’s regional hospital. The $16.5 million upgrade, announced by the province on September 19, is designed to improve care for local residents and help attract health-care professionals to the area, according to the Northern Health Authority.
“This new space will help to ensure that those living in Prince Rupert have access to high-quality care in a new, state-of-the-art department.”
Colleen Nyce, Board Chair of Northern Health
The upgrades to the Prince Rupert Regional Hospital include a brand new main lobby and registration area to speed up patient flow, a much larger trauma and triage section for assessment and treatment, and improved high acuity rooms with more privacy and better infection prevention control measures. According to The Northern View, Colleen Nyce, board chair of Northern Health, said she is happy to welcome staff, physicians, and patients into the newly upgraded department.
“Emergency care is essential for families in our region, providing life-saving treatment when it’s needed most, close to home.”
Tamara Davidson, MLA for North Coast-Haida Gwaii
“This new space will help to ensure that those living in Prince Rupert have access to high-quality care in a new, state-of-the-art department,” she told The Northern View.
Each year, the emergency department has about 16,000 visits—an average of 43 people every day—highlighting the need for reliable, accessible emergency services in the region.
Tamara Davidson, MLA for North Coast-Haida Gwaii, called the expansion a meaningful boost for families in the community: “Emergency care is essential for families in our region, providing life-saving treatment when it’s needed most, close to home,” she told The Northern View. “The new emergency department will improve access to critical health services, ensure residents receive the high-quality care they deserve and attract new doctors and health-care staff to the area.”
The funding was a joint effort, with $9.9 million coming from the province and another $6.6 million provided by the Northwest Regional Hospital District.
