Northern Health and  community leaders  officially open  St. John Hospital  renovated area – photo courtesy Northern Health

Vanderhoof, B.C.- All done.  Nearly $5 million dollars worth of renovations at St. John Hospital in Vanderhoof are complete.

The changes will improve patient flow  in and out of the emergency room as well as  add an independent ambulance bay.

The renovations include the addition of a separate waiting room for families of patients in emergency care. The entrance for emergency was also relocated and there are now three entrances into the hospital: one for patients coming into emergency, one for ambulances bringing patients into emergency, and one for all other hospital services.

Other parts of the renovation project include relocation of the hospital’s main entrance, improvements to the reception and admitting counter, resurfaced parking area, and installation of proper ventilation and cooling systems in the laboratory and emergency department.

The project was funded by the Province of B.C., Stuart-Nechako Regional Hospital District, and Northern Health. The project was completed by IDL Projects based in Prince George, B.C.

The current St. John Hospital was built in 1971.  The St. John Hospital serves over 5,000 people in Vanderhoof area plus the surrounding communities of Lakes and Omineca.