Philanthropy, along with government support, will bring expanded access to surgical care for British Columbians at Vancouver General Hospital (VGH). This morning, the Ministry of Health, in partnership with Vancouver Coastal Health and VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation, announced a $102 million project for 16 new state-of-the-art operating rooms to be built at the Jim Pattison Pavilion at VGH.

“Our world-leading surgeons deserve world-leading operating rooms,” says Barbara Grantham, VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation President and Chief Executive Officer. “The partnership between government and philanthropy enables us to provide just that. We could not be more proud than to support the expansion of surgical services at VGH, for today and future generations.”

This will be one of the most complex hospital expansions in B.C. history, noted Vancouver-Fraserview MLA Suzanne Anton, who made the announcement on behalf of Health Minister Terry Lake. The project also includes a 40-bed hospital unit for care before and after surgery, new communication systems to manage activities for health professionals across two operating floors, and upgraded infrastructure including heating, ventilation and air conditioning, electrical and plumbing, additional storage and new administrative spaces to support operations.

“As part of a broader strategy to improve patient access to timely surgery, this expansion will enhance our surgical capacity to meet current needs and position us to accommodate growth and technology in the future,” says Dr. Marcel Dvorak, Vancouver Coastal Health associate senior medical director. “Many of our current operating rooms are 30 years old and simply cannot accommodate new technology and equipment. Adding more operating rooms will ensure our patients from throughout B.C. get the surgery they need, when they need it, whether it’s emergency or scheduled surgery.”

The number of surgeries performed at VGH will increase from 16,800 per year to more than 19,000 per year, an increase of 2,200 surgeries annually.

The total cost of the project is $102.4 million, with the Province committing $34.8 million, Vancouver Coastal Health providing $47.6 million, and VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation contributing $20 million. Completion is scheduled for 2021.

Additional Information
View the Ministry of Health press release (Feb. 8, 2017).
Find out more about the Foundation’s Future of Surgery campaign.
Discover how surgery was vital for our patients like Willie, Michaela, and Darla.