The Vancouver Island Health Authority issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to three qualified proponent teams that have been short-listed to participate in the RFP phase of the competition to design, build, finance and maintain the new 500-bed Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria.
This follows the Capital Regional Hospital District’s (CRHD) final approval of approximately $108 million in funding for its share of the approximately $269-million total cost of this project.
“Across British Columbia, we are investing in modern, state-of-the-art facilities to deliver safe, high quality patient care now and in the future,” said Health Minister George Abbott. “As we are seeing with the Abbotsford Regional Hospital and Cancer Centre and the Gordon and Leslie Diamond Health Care Centre, the public private partnership can save taxpayers money that allows us to redirect those funds towards direct patient care.”
“The need to replace the existing Royal Jubilee Hospital is clear to everyone and our government is committed to providing Victoria area residents with this new health care infrastructure,” said Oak Bay-Gordon Head MLA Ida Chong. “As well, Victoria-based construction and architecture firms are teaming up with international companies in an effort to combine local talent and global expertise to ensure that our community sees the economic benefits of the construction project.”
Four teams responded to the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) that closed on June 7. Following evaluation of the responses received, three teams were short-listed. They are:
· B&B Royal Jubilee;
· ISL Health;
· Plenary Health.
The teams each have a variety of members who represent B.C.-based, national and international companies.
“We are delighted that the CRHD has provided final funding approval for this crucially important project for residents and patients in Greater Victoria,” said Howard Waldner, VIHA president and CEO. “We are excited about moving to the next phase of this project, which is on a rapid timeline if we are to achieve our goal to open this centre for patient care in 2010.”
The three short-listed proponents have been invited to respond to the Request for Proposal (RFP). Once submissions to the RFP are received and evaluated, a preferred proponent will be selected and offered the opportunity to finalize an agreement to deliver the patient care centre.
The renewal of inpatient accommodation at Royal Jubilee Hospital will improve patient care, increase safety and efficiency for nurses, physicians and other health care professionals and reduce infection levels. The facility will be elder friendly with a design to provide patient-centred, best practice care for the elderly. This new and modern facility will help attract and retain health care professionals and improve education opportunities through better teaching and research facilities. The 500-bed facility will be designed to achieve a minimum standard of LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) silver, designed to current health care and energy efficiency standards as part of the Province’s and VIHA’s commitment to a greener and more sustainable future.
A fairness advisor, Hon. Roger Kerans, has reviewed the RFQ process and found that the evaluation was fair and unbiased. The fairness advisor’s report is available on Partnerships BC’s website: www.partnershipsbc.ca.
The new Royal Jubilee Hospital was approved by the Province on May 4. The RFP will close on January 30, 2008. Construction is expected to begin in 2008, with the new, state-of-the-art facility to open for patients in 2010.
All health services will be funded by the Province of B.C. through VIHA in keeping with the principles of the Canada Health Act.