May 14, 2008

Health care infrastructure

B.C. government selects preferred proponent for Kelowna and Vernon hospitals

Richard Gilbert

staff writer

The B.C. government has selected a preferred proponent for the Kelowna and Vernon Hospitals Project.

The B.C. Ministry of Health announced on May 8 that Infusion Health was selected as the company that the province will enter negotiations with to design, build, finance and maintain the expansion of Kelowna General Hospital.

Infusion Health is a joint-venture between John Laing and Bilfinger Berger project investments.

John Laing is a specialist owner, operator and manager of public sector infrastructure assets in the U.K. and internationally.

Infusion Health was selected to enter into negotiations after an evaluation of proposals from the three teams who were short-listed and invited to submit proposals.

The naming of the preferred bidder is an important step forward for John Laing’s international expansion strategy and focus on the Canadian marketplace.

“The selection of a preferred proponent is part of the competition selection process as we work to move the project forward,” said Murray Ramsden, Interior Health Authority CEO.

A fairness advisor, Joan Young of the law firm Heenan Blaikie, was appointed to monitor the procurement process and to ensure it was undertaken fairly and followed the requirements outlined in the Request For Proposals.

At Kelowna General Hospital, the project will provide a new emergency department, general clinics area, surgical services, short-stay beds, renal services, and diagnostic services for outpatients including cardiology, respiratory, neuro-diagnostics, a satellite lab collection station and satellite diagnostic imaging.

It will be linked to the existing hospital, and will include a rooftop helipad, as well as shelled-in space for possible future expansion.

“The new outpatient hospital is part of our commitment to providing Okanagan area residents with state-of-the-art health facilities,” said Kelowna-Lake Country MLA Al Horning.

“The need to construct a new emergency department is clear to everyone, and the designation of KGH as a clinical academic campus will support our efforts to recruit and retain the best health care professionals.”

At Vernon Jubilee hospital, Infusion Health will develop and maintain a new diagnostic and treatment building, that will provide ambulatory care services and day surgery, emergency department services, surgical services, intensive care, cardiac care, maternity and paediatric services.

In addition, the project provides a new home for the UBC Medical School.

This will enable Kelowna General Hospital to become a clinical academic campus.

“We are seeing record levels of improvements in new and existing health-care infrastructure across the province, including Vernon,” said Okanagan-Vernon MLA Tom Christensen.

“A new diagnostic and treatment building at Vernon Jubilee Hospital will bring together existing programs in a more efficient facility that will enhance patient care now, as well as allow for future expansion.”

The bid by the Infusion team was led by John Laing and Bilfinger Berger Project Investments.

Construction will be undertaken by Graham Construction, with multi-disciplinary design services provided by Stantec.

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