The Thompson Regional Hospital Board received a comprehensive update on ongoing and upcoming capital projects across the region, with officials presenting detailed timelines, progress reports, and funding processes for facilities from Ashcroft to Kamloops.

At the March 26th meeting, Corey Wein, Corporate Director of Business Operations at Interior Health, outlined a proposed change to the funding process for minor equipment (items under $100,000), while Kathy Doull, Executive Director for Kamloops Community, and Gerry Desilets provided updates on construction and renovation projects across the region.

Project Highlights

• Ashcroft: Emergency generator replacement, originally purchased in 2003, is projected for completion in December 2027.
• Barriere: Installation of a new digital radiographic system, slated for August 2026.
• Clearwater: Heating and cooling upgrades using heat pumps, solar, and geo-exchange, expected April 2026.
• Lillooet: Multiple projects, including nurse call system and emergency medicine room renovations, while the humidity steam boiler replacement faces delays due to contractor availability and budget concerns.
• Merritt: Patient washroom renovations at Nicola Valley Hospital, supported by a $720,000 RIH Foundation contribution, will be completed in May 2027.
• Kamloops: Royal Inland Hospital, North Shore Urgent and Primary Care Centre, Ponderosa Lodge generator, Mental Health and Substance Use Centre, and Canlis Cancer Centre projects continue on schedule, with the cancer centre slated for completion in fall 2028.

Minor Equipment Funding Changes

Interior Health plans to streamline its minor capital equipment funding process. Instead of submitting itemized lists of equipment under $100,000 in advance to the Regional Hospital District (RHD), Interior Health proposes requesting a global funding amount. The global funding allows Interior Health to prioritize purchases throughout the year based on clinical urgency, equity across sites, and unforeseen needs, such as equipment failures or changing costs.

The process includes assigning up to 40% of the RHD global funding to individual items and submitting a detailed report the following year listing purchased equipment, costs, and how the RHD funds were used. Interior Health emphasizes this approach maintains transparency and ensures equitable distribution across communities while providing flexibility to respond to real-time needs.

Board Concerns

Board members pressed officials on delays, particularly for long-term care development in Kamloops, and the absence of updates on the Lytton Healthcare Centre. Director Katie Neustaeter highlighted the impact of these delays on hospital capacity, citing long patient stays and the effect on healthcare workers. Interior Health representatives acknowledged the concerns and committed to providing answers within three weeks.

Board members also questioned transparency under the new global funding model, with Wein assuring that annual reports would provide detailed accounting of expenditures and adherence to equitable priorities across communities.

Community Impact

The projects aim to modernize facilities, expand services, and improve patient safety, but board members stressed the importance of timely communication and oversight to ensure community needs are met. The meeting concluded with commitments to follow up on outstanding questions and continued reporting on project progress and equipment purchases.