Submitted by the Province of British Columbia--The Queen Charlotte/Haida Gwaii Hospital Replacement (QCHGHR) project took an important step forward Wednesday with the release of a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to design and build a new hospital. The RFQ is the first step in the process to select a qualified team to design and build the replacement facility. The new hospital was announced on April 12. The replacement hospital will feature eight acute-care beds, plus one labour, delivery and recovery suite. The redevelopment will provide a modern environment for the delivery of public and mental health and addictions programs, and home and community care services. A newly reconfigured hospital layout will benefit the delivery of acute and emergency services, which will include designated program space for diagnostic imaging, as well as laboratory and pharmacy services. A new home and community care house with eight residential care beds for clients with complex needs will also be included. "This is an exciting milestone in the replacement of the hospital on Haida Gwaii," said Health Minister Michael de Jong. "Throughout the North we are building patient care to ensure future generations continue to receive quality care." "Once complete, the new hospital will include residential care beds as well as space for out-patient care such as public-health services like mental-health care as part of a new hospital," said Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation Minister Mary Polak. "The new hospital will help reduce the need to leave the island for specialized care." The overall total project cost of the new hospital is expected to be up to $50 million; the final cost will be confirmed once the competitive selection process is complete and a contract is signed with the successful bidding team. Funding will be cost-shared by the government of B.C. and the North West Regional Hospital District. "This project is an important investment in the future for the people who live in the Village of Queen Charlotte and surrounding communities," said Cathy Ulrich, Northern Health CEO. "It will provide improvements that enable the ongoing delivery of quality and sustainable health-care services." The RFQ is a competitive selection process that invites teams to indicate their interest in, and qualifications for, the QCHGHR project. Respondent teams short listed during the RFQ process will then be invited to participate in the next stage by of the competitive selection process, the Request for Proposals (RFP) stage. Northern Health expects to choose a preferred proponent and award a contract in spring 2013. Design-build activities will commence immediately thereafter, with completion expected by the summer of 2015. "Congratulations to the government of B.C. and Northern Health. The North West Regional Hospital District and Village of Queen Charlotte are very pleased to see the beginning of the procurement process for this long-awaited hospital," said Carol Kulesha, vice-chair of the North West Regional Hospital District. The replacement hospital in the Queen Charlotte will enable Northern Health clinicians and staff to continue to deliver client-focused, health-care services in a modern environment that will ultimately improve outcomes for patients. The announcement of the replacement hospital will also help to attract and retain quality health care professionals in the community. The new facility will be designed to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification, and, where feasible, maximize the use of wood, consistent with the Province's Wood First Act. The existing Queen Charlotte Islands General Hospital plays a critical role in serving the health care needs for the Queen Charlotte, Skidegate and surrounding communities. The facility was originally constructed in 1950 and has served the community well, however refurbishing has been deemed too costly. Once construction of the new hospital gets underway, it is expected that the project will generate approximately 189 direct jobs and 143 indirect jobs as well as stimulate the local economy. The RFQ is available at: www.bcbid.ca