Northern Cancer Centre on Track

Thursday, January 07, 2010 04:00 AM

Prince George, B.C.- The development of the Northern Cancer Centre is “on track” says Dr. Bert Kelly, of the Northern Medical Society.

According to Dr. Kelly, the first part of construction will see the development of a multi- level parking facility as the site for the Cancer Centre is the current north parking lot of the University of Northern B.C. Hospital – Prince George. With the lot gone, the parking garage will provide adequate space for staff to park vehicles.

While Dr. Kelly says building the actual building should be a simple task, it is the building of the professional team that will work with patients that is the challenge. “Northern Health has been very energetic in that, Dr. Chapman has done a very good job of recruitment.”

“We went to the Ministry(of Health) and told them we have great difficulty in recruiting laboratory technicians and always our Northern Medical Society answer is, we have to train our own. The Health Minister did give us a lab technician training program at the College of New Caledonia. We went back to him then and said, this is just great, but we’re going to have to have x-ray techs and ultra sound, CT and MRI techs as well, so you need to get that going at the College too.”

The programs were approved, but have been delayed for a year “These things take time, and we might just get in under the wire ( for the opening of the Cancer Centre) but certainly its pressing and I have told them that time is running out on this one, and this one needs to go soon.”

The construction of the 5,500 square metre facility was expected to start in late 2009, it is scheduled to open in 2012. Dr. Kelly is very optimistic the deadline can be met.

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Posted on Thursday, January 07, 2010 04:00 AM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: Eagleone on January 7 2010 5:31 AM

If they start in the Spring I see no reason why the building deadline can't be met. Staffing it has always been the challange... I'm all for training locals, rather than trying to import the talent. I don't think the learning curve is as steep as some of the 'experts' would sugest... it sounds to me like Dr Kelly is on the right track so far. Maybe needs more public support at this time with the politicians though... with most politicians gearing up for their two week show and games in February I can see them being a little distracted.

Posted by: Andyfreeze on January 7 2010 8:27 AM

There is a budget coming and it will be a tough one, with lots of cuts.
Actually,I think we will be amazed at how severe and deep these cuts are!
How it affects the Cancer Center will be interesting.
If the Campbell government is true to form,there could very well be serious problems getting this much needed project completed.

Posted by: hammmy on January 8 2010 12:07 AM

Don't hold your breath on this one!

Posted by: Harbinger on January 8 2010 8:12 PM

"Enough parking for staff". When will these "planners and ninnys" at city hall realize this ain't and never will be a bus town? Geez! Shuttle bus service from Parkwood? (For a fee.) With the absence of parking in and around the whole Northern Cancer centre and hospital it will come across as a plan devised, planned and executed from the back of a napkin at Denny"s. Residents around this whole complex will whine about losing their on street parking. Again, planners in this town are ninnys.