News Releases

TOFINO – Patients coming to Tofino General Hospital will have access to a state-of-the art negative pressure room – part of an $850,000 renovation project that also includes an expanded nursing station and exterior upgrades that will improve patient care and staff working environment.

VICTORIA - Following extensive testing and investigation, the Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA) and the BC Centre for Disease Control have concluded that the illness that affected 21 people at Glengarry Hospital in April and May of this year was not caused by a viral outbreak.

NANAIMO - The Ministry of Environment in collaboration with the Vancouver Island Health Authority has issued a Wildfire Smoke Advisory for northern, central and east coast Vancouver Island because of forest fire smoke that is affecting some areas.  Communities affected include the Cowichan Valley, Nanaimo, Parksville, Port Alberni, Comox Valley, Campbell River, Port McNeill, Port Hardy and Port Alice.  Weather conditions are forcing smoke from wildfires in the interior of British Columbia to the coast, producing smoky skies throughout the South Coast Region. Smoke concentrations will vary widely as winds, fire behaviour and temperatures change.  This situation is expected to persist until weather conditions change.

VICTORIA – The Vancouver Island Health Authority has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for retail services at the new Royal Jubilee Hospital Patient Care Centre.
 
The new Patient Care Centre includes approximately 7,000 square feet of new ground floor commercial space, plus another 1300 square feet of space at the Diagnostic and Treatment Centre for potential vendors who wish to operate retail outlets of interest to staff, patients and visitors such as:
• Food and beverage shops or kiosks;
• Banking services;
• Convenience stores;
• Services attractive to staff, visitors and patients such as dry cleaners, laundry, hairdressers.

Some of the key features VIHA would be looking for in retail service providers are:
• Locally sourced food and products;
• A variety of food and drink choices, including vegetarian and organic options;
• Healthy, low-fat food choices that meet or exceed government restrictions for transfat;
• Eat-in or take-out options;
• Extended hours of operation to meet the demand of a 24/7 workplace;
• Weekend and holiday service;
• Environmentally friendly and sustainable business practices and recycling options.

The RFP, posted on the BC Bid website at http://www.bcbid.gov.bc.ca (Document #PCC - E5-RFP-350) closes August 27, 2010. Proposals will be evaluated and successful proponents selected based upon specific criteria outlined in the RFP.