The West Coast General Hospital Emergency Upgrade has poured it’s last sidewalk and is nearing completion of Phase 1! Construction on the much-needed emergency department expansion began in March 2021, which had been put on hold in 2015 and again in 2018.

For people who need mental-health care in Port Alberni, Tofino and the surrounding communities, the expansion of the WCGH Emergency Department will be a game changer, as we are doing this work with them front of mind.

– Sheila Malcolmson, Minister of Mental Health & Addictions.

This $6.25M redevelopment includes a 244 square-metre (2,626 square-foot) expansion, which will help relieve the congestion of this very busy hospital that serves over 25,000 patients each year. This also includes improvements to the existing emergency department space. The project will add three new patient exam beds, extra space for patients awaiting tests and results, a private, safe seclusion room for patients in need of emergency mental health care, improvements to the triage and admitting area, and two separate entrances for ambulances and the general public.

Thank you to our project team for all their hard work!

Read the full press release here.

The last side walk is poured! Chris Scott, Superintendent