KAMLOOPS – BC Cancer has issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for the new cancer centre at Royal Inland Hospital (RIH) in Kamloops. Construction is expected to begin in 2025 and to be completed in 2028.
"The RFQ process marks an important step for teams to express their interest and qualifications to design and build the new BC Cancer centre," said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health. "We are committed to keeping the momentum up in our work to expand access to critical cancer treatments for people in Kamloops and surrounding regions."
Through the RFQ process, Interior Health and BC Cancer will identify a shortlist of up to three qualified proponents who will be invited to participate in the next step of the competitive selection process, the request for proposal (RFP) stage. The RFP stage will determine which team Interior Health and BC Cancer will select to eventually lead the design and construction of the project.
The RFQ process is expected to be finalized in June 2024, followed by the RFP process.
"With one in two British Columbians projected to be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, we know there is a great need for expanded cancer care services in the province," said David Byres, president and chief executive officer, Provincial Health Services Authority. "The new BC Cancer centre at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops will increase our capacity to provide culturally safe, high-quality cancer care in this fast-growing region."
The provincial government announced approval of the business plan for the new BC Cancer centre at RIH on February 8, 2024. The new BC Cancer centre will be a five-storey facility built on the Westlands site on the RIH campus. There will be space for radiation treatment, radiation-therapy planning, including a CT Simulator, an outpatient ambulatory-care unit, including 10 exam rooms, and two consultation rooms for radiation-therapy services, an additional MRI suite, and patient arrival and check-in areas. The centre will have three linear accelerator vaults. These heavy, concrete structures contain radiation equipment used for cancer-patient treatment. In collaboration with Indigenous partners, there will also be a sacred space for patients, caregivers and staff, with features to support traditional ceremonies.
A new 470-stall parkade will also be constructed as a part of the centre.
In addition, upgrades to RIH to expand cancer care have also been approved, which includes updating and expanding the pharmacy, and relocation and expansion of the Community Oncology Network clinic from the eighth floor to the main floor with more space and improved access. Cancer care delivered through the clinic includes oral and intravenous cancer treatment, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy and hormonal therapy. The clinic also provides initial consultation and treatment planning with a medical oncologist, supportive care, follow-up care and patient education.
"People in Kamloops and the surrounding area are looking forward to having greater access to cancer care at RIH," said Susan Brown, president and chief executive officer, Interior Health. "Together with BC Cancer, the project team is moving quickly with the procurement process, one of the many planned milestones as we continue to move this project forward."
"We are excited to move forward with the procurement process and be one step closer to the construction of the new BC Cancer centre in Kamloops," said Dr. Kim Chi, executive vice-president and chief medical officer, BC Cancer. "We are working in partnership with Interior Health to create a future where the people of Kamloops and surrounding regions will get the cancer care they need closer to home."
The project budget is approximately $359 million, shared between the provincial government, Interior Health and Thompson Regional Hospital District.
The new BC Cancer centre is a part of the 10-year B.C. Cancer Action Plan, which outlines actionable steps to better prevent, detect and treat cancers, delivering improved care for people facing cancer now, while preparing for the growing needs of the future.
The RFQ can be viewed on the BC Bid website: www.bcbid.gov.bc.ca
To learn more about B.C.'s 10-year Cancer Action Plan, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2023HLTH0012-000229
Media contacts:
Ministry of Health Communications
250 952-1887 (media line)
Interior Health Communications
media@interiorhealth.ca
1 844 469-7077
Provincial Health Services Authority Communications
778 867-7472 (media line)
