(All Directors - Weighted Vote)
WHEREAS residents north of the Malahat experience significant delays and travel-related risks in accessing cardiac diagnostic and interventional services, impacting timely care and patient outcomes;
WHEREAS the Vancouver Island Cardiac Services Plan identifies the need to enrich cardiology services across Vancouver Island and specifically recommends the development of a Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory (“Cath Lab”) to serve Central and North Island populations;
WHEREAS Nanaimo Regional General Hospital is the clinically appropriate and geographically central location to host a Cath Lab that would serve more than 450,000 residents, reducing reliance on facilities in Victoria or Vancouver;
WHEREAS the Nanaimo Regional Hospital District (“NRHD”) has committed to funding 40% of its priority capital projects;
WHEREAS providing this up-front funding mechanism may help to accelerate planning, approval, and implementation, thereby improving access to life-saving cardiac services for all citizens north of the Malahat;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of the Nanaimo Regional Hospital District directs that for 2026 $50 million be inserted into the NRHD Capital Plan under the line item ‘Catheterization Lab (Tertiary Service Requirement)’ of the 2026-2030 NRHD financial plan to provide full up-front financing for the planning, construction, and equipping of a Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Nanaimo Regional Hospital District Board resolve to fund 100% of the cardiac catheterization lab project as part of its total overall combined funding contribution toward the Nanaimo Regional General Hospital new patient tower and cardiac catheterization lab projects, and that the Board communicate this commitment to Island Health and the Government of British Columbia.