November 28, 2016

PRINCE RUPERT — After attending the grand opening of the new Haida Gwaii Hospital and Health Centre – Xaayda Gwaay Ngaaysdll Naay, North Coast MLA Jennifer Rice is congratulating the village of Queen Charlotte and the people of Haida Gwaii for working so hard to make a new hospital a reality for the islands.

“This is a vast improvement from the days of mixing chemotherapy drugs in the shed and the morgue being housed in half an Atco trailer,” said Rice. “After years of advocacy, hard-work and persistence, patients and residents are now being cared for in an environment that is much more functional, inclusive and appropriate.”

Government and Regional Hospital District Representatives attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony followed by a community BBQ at the grand opening of the new Haida Gwaii Hospital and Health Centre – Xaayda Gwaay Ngaaysdll Naay on Friday.  Rice noted that the design and build process was a model of inclusive decision-making which incorporated the feedback of staff and the needs of the local community.

“Once the process was up and running it proceeded with an open-minded approach, that everyone involved should be proud of; the way that people came together to oversee details such as the hospital’s English-Haida name was a real model for community-based decision making.

“I congratulate the leadership of the design and build team and hospital staff for this approach,” said Rice. The new hospital is Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certified and features 8 acute care beds, 8 residential care beds for clients with complex needs and a labour, delivery and recovery suite for birthing mothers and their families. Home and community care, public and mental health, diagnostic imaging, laboratory and pharmacy services are also housed in the new facility. The total value of the facility is $50 million dollars.

“The new Haida Gwaii hospital is a reminder of what communities can accomplish with hard-work, persistence and the will to work together towards a common goal,” said Rice.

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Media Contact: Alexie Stephens – 250-624-7734

Attached: photos; link to video