Janice Perrino is returning acting chair
NANAIMO – The Nanaimo Regional Hospital District (NRHD) acclaimed a Chair and Acting Chair at the February 27, 2024, meeting of the NRHD Board per provincial legislation. Ian Thorpe takes on another term as Chair of the NRHD and will chair all NRHD Board meetings. Returning Acting Chair, Janice Perrino, fulfills the role of the Chair when the Chair is unavailable.
“I am honoured to have the support of the Nanaimo Regional Hospital District Board as we continue to advocate for new facilities and improved access to healthcare in our region. The NRHD is grateful to the Government of British Columbia for approving the High Acuity Unit at NRGH, the concept plan for a cancer centre and the long-term care facility, but we still have much to do to achieve equity in healthcare services north of the Malahat.” Ian Thorpe, Chair, NRHD
“I look forward to serving as Acting Chair again and supporting Chair Thorpe as we continue to collaborate with our regional partners to bring a higher level of healthcare to our communities. Together, we are a stronger voice as we strive to get the healthcare services residents desperately need and deserve close to home.” Janice Perrino, Acting Chair, NRHD
In addition to the NRHD Board election, the NRHD adopted a budget of $48.1 million for 2024. The 2024 budget includes $3.5 million for capital equipment and minor projects, $0.40 million for administration expenses and $6.1 million for debt servicing on major capital projects.
The NRHD remains committed to its five capital planning priorities including a new patient tower, cancer centre, cardiac catheterization lab and high acuity unit (HAU), all to be located at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital, and a new long-term care facility. For these projects to be feasible, the Board has a financial strategy in place to build the reserves to reduce the reliance on debt and prepare the NRHD to meet its partnership funding obligations for these critical priority projects. A tax levy of approximately $45.11 per $100,000 of assessed property value in 2024 is needed for a contribution of $28.9 million into reserves.
This represents a 28.2 per cent increase over the year prior, with 28.2 per cent planned for successive years. The Board remains committed to advocating for these priority projects with the Government of British Columbia to secure support and provincial funding to see the projects built.
The Government of British Columbia has approved the following priority projects in our region:
- March 2023: The new high acuity unit (HAU) at NRGH. Construction is under way.
- May 2023: The concept plan for a new cancer centre to be located at the NRGH. Upgrades to the existing community oncology (chemotherapy) clinic at the NRGH have also been approved which will increase the number of treatment spaces and replace the current cancer outpatient pharmacy. In October 2023, Island Health submitted the business plan for the new cancer centre.
- October 2023: A long-term care facility to be built in Lantzville. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2025 pending rezoning.
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