In what local health advocates are calling a critical turning point for regional healthcare, Nanaimo MLA Sheila Malcolmson has formally requested an urgent meeting with B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix to address the pressing infrastructure needs at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital (NRGH).
The hospital, which serves as the primary healthcare hub for nearly 200,000 residents across central Vancouver Island, has been operating well beyond capacity for years. Recent assessments indicate the facility is struggling with outdated infrastructure, insufficient bed capacity, and aging diagnostic equipment—challenges that healthcare workers say directly impact patient care quality.
“The situation at NRGH has reached a critical juncture,” Malcolmson stated in her letter to Minister Dix. “Our healthcare professionals are performing admirably under increasingly difficult conditions, but the infrastructure simply hasn’t kept pace with our region’s population growth and evolving healthcare needs.”
Data from Island Health reveals emergency department visits have increased by 28% over the past decade, while the hospital’s physical footprint and resources have remained largely unchanged. Healthcare professionals report routinely treating patients in hallways and converting storage areas into temporary treatment spaces during peak periods.
Dr. Emily Sanderson, an emergency physician at NRGH, expressed frustration with the current conditions. “We’re seeing more complex cases than ever before, but we’re working with facilities designed for a different era of healthcare. Our team is committed to providing exceptional care, but the physical limitations of our space make that increasingly challenging.”
The hospital’s needs are numerous and varied. A comprehensive assessment completed last year identified critical requirements including an expanded emergency department, additional surgical suites, updated diagnostic imaging equipment, and modernized patient care areas. Preliminary estimates place the total cost of these upgrades between $400-500 million.
Regional health officials have emphasized that these investments would benefit not just Nanaimo residents but patients throughout central Vancouver Island who rely on NRGH for specialized services not available in smaller communities.
Island Health Board Chair Leah Hollins acknowledged the urgent situation in a recent CO24 News interview: “NRGH is an essential facility in our healthcare network. The demands placed on it have grown exponentially, and ensuring its infrastructure meets contemporary standards is a priority for our board.”
This push comes as part of a broader conversation about healthcare infrastructure across Canada, with many facilities built in the 1960s and 1970s now requiring significant upgrades or replacement. Provincial governments are grappling with competing healthcare priorities amid post-pandemic budget constraints.
Minister Dix’s office confirmed receipt of Malcolmson’s request but has not yet committed to a specific meeting date. A ministry spokesperson indicated that hospital infrastructure remains a priority within the province’s healthcare strategy, with several major projects already underway across British Columbia.
As communities across Vancouver Island await news of potential funding, the question remains: can our healthcare infrastructure investments keep pace with growing demand, or will facilities like NRGH continue to be forced to do more with less while patients and healthcare providers bear the consequences?
