Nelson Unveils New $40 Million Health Campus to Serve Community

The city of Nelson has officially opened the doors to its new $40 million health campus, a facility designed to enhance local healthcare services. The Nelson Community Health Campus, located on the site of the former Mount St. Francis hospital, includes a 75-bed long-term care facility and a community centre that offers various healthcare services. The grand opening ceremony took place on September 4, 2023, marking a significant milestone for the community.

Dr. Trevor Janz, who served as the house physician at Mount St. Francis before its closure in 2005, expressed his enthusiasm for the new campus. “It was a lovely building with lovely, caring staff,” he noted, reflecting on the hospital’s legacy. As the medical director for long-term care at the new facility, he emphasized the importance of having a consolidated location for healthcare services, stating, “A campus of care is a really good idea to cluster services to wrap around people.”

Facility Features and Community Impact

The long-term care section, named Fairview Gardens, is designed to accommodate residents with complex medical needs. Each section consists of private rooms, complete with individual washrooms, and communal dining and activity spaces. Outdoor courtyards enhance the living experience for residents. Additionally, the facility has been developed in consultation with the Kootenay Boundary Aboriginal Services Society to ensure culturally safe care and appropriate signage for Indigenous residents.

Dr. Janz highlighted that Fairview Gardens will primarily cater to seniors in their final stages of life. He noted that the campus will also host a unit for individuals in their 40s, 50s, and 60s who are dealing with neuromuscular diseases, mental health issues, or substance use disorders. This unique offering is set to foster peer support and provide necessary resources in a shared environment.

In addition to the long-term care facility, the Nelson Community Health Services Centre opened its doors on August 12, 2023. This centre provides various services, including early childhood development, home health care, and substance use counselling.

Community Support and Future Considerations

Kootenay-Central MLA Brittny Anderson praised the new campus, emphasizing its significance for future generations. “This is a place for our entire community,” she remarked, noting that many will benefit from the compassionate care provided by professionals like Dr. Janz.

The creation of the campus followed years of advocacy and collaboration. The city first urged the provincial government to upgrade or replace Mount St. Francis in 1999. It wasn’t until 2020 that Interior Health announced plans for demolition and replacement. The demolition began in October 2021, and construction was completed in 2022.

The campus is jointly owned by Columbia Basin Trust and Golden Life Management, a private entity specializing in retirement developments. Interior Health will lease and operate the facility, with an estimated annual cost of $7.5 million. The total capital cost to make the buildings operational is approximately $20.6 million, with $4.8 million contributed by the West Kootenay-Boundary Regional Hospital District.

Infrastructure Minister Bowinn Ma attended the opening and acknowledged the collaborative effort that made the project possible. She expressed interest in exploring how the success of this project could inspire similar initiatives across the province.

While the new campus offers expanded services, it also raises concerns for the existing long-term care facilities in the area. The Interior Health-operated Nelson Jubilee Manor has 39 publicly funded beds, while the privately operated Mountain Lake Seniors’ Community offers 85 publicly funded beds and seven privately financed beds. Dr. Janz indicated that staffing for the new campus has drawn resources from these facilities, which are still operational.

“The city is in dire need of more healthcare workers,” Dr. Janz warned, highlighting the ongoing challenges in filling nursing and support roles across the region.

Mayor Janice Morrison, who has personal ties to Mount St. Francis, expressed her emotional connection to the new development. Her family has a long history with the hospital, and she worked there as a physical therapist. The opening of the new campus represents a significant return of healthcare to the historic site, culminating in a moment of pride for the community. “It is an emotional day for me to be able to be here and finally see this come to fruition,” she remarked, reflecting the sentiments of many in attendance.