Source: University of British Columbia
http://www2.news.gov.bc.ca/news_releases_2005-2009/2006OTP0149-001265.htm World-class Health Centre Opens in Vancouver First Major Health Public-Private Partnership CompleteOctober 20, 2006 VANCOUVER
– Premier Gordon Campbell today officially opened the Gordon and Leslie
Diamond Health Care Centre, an approximately $95-million world-class
out-patient care facility, as part of Vancouver General Hospital. "The Gordon and Leslie Diamond Health Care Centre will provide a
wide range of medical services to over 600,000 patients annually – all in
one location," said Campbell. "These services include diagnostic testing,
specialist visits and clinic visits. The centre will also allow hundreds of
health professionals to work together in an academic centre. We are acting
on our commitment to provide the best quality patient care." This is British Columbia’s first major health facility to be completed as a
public-private partnership, through an agreement between Vancouver Coastal
Health and Access Health Vancouver. Vancouver Coastal Health will maintain
ownership, control and decision-making over the site and facility and will
be responsible for the delivery of all health-care services. The private
partner, Access Health Vancouver, assumed responsibility for the financing,
design, construction, facility management and maintenance. "This public-private partnership has provided best value for taxpayers’
dollars, while supporting innovation and quality in the creation of the
centre," said Campbell. "The integrated range of health services will make
it much easier for patients to receive co-ordinated health care. By working
with a private sector partner with expertise in health facility building,
design, finance and property management, we are saving approximately $17
million. Vancouver Coastal Health can move ahead on what they do best –
provide expert health-care delivery." "The Gordon and Leslie Diamond Health Care Centre offers patients an
unprecedented level of ‘one-stop shopping’," said Ida Goodreau, president
and CEO of Vancouver Coastal Health. "This facility brings together 40
hospital clinics and programs, nine UBC Faculty of Medicine programs, 195
physician offices, and more than 1,000 staff, researchers and students who
were previously spread throughout nine buildings. In this new environment,
they are providing efficient, highly co-ordinated care that keeps the
patient experience front and centre." "This new academic facility, with the support of hundreds of clinical
teachers, will provide a wonderful opportunity for UBC medical students,
postgraduate residents and other health professionals to receive an
interdisciplinary education," said Dr. Gavin Stuart, Dean of the UBC Faculty
of Medicine. "This will help ensure we can deliver a team-oriented approach
to patient care and make a difference to the health of British Columbians." The facility was formerly known as the Academic Ambulatory Care Centre and
was renamed in honour of a $20 million gift from Gordon and Leslie Diamond
of Vancouver. "We thank the Diamonds for their generous contribution towards supporting
specialist care at Vancouver General Hospital," Campbell continued. "It’s a privilege to be a philanthropic partner in this world-class facility
and stand side-by-side with the Premier for the benefit of the people of
British Columbia," said Gordon Diamond. Vancouver Coastal Health is responsible for the delivery of $2.1 billion in
acute, residential and community care to over one million people in
communities from Richmond through Vancouver, the North Shore, Sunshine
Coast, Sea-to-Sky area, Powell River, Bella Bella and Bella Coola. To participate in the "Conversation on Health," visit
http://www.bcconversationonhealth.ca/. -30- 2 backgrounder(s) attached. Media contact: Mike Morton Press Secretary Office of the Premier 250 213-8218 Laurie Dawkins Vancouver Coastal Health 604 708-5312 For more information on government services or to subscribe to the
Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at
www.gov.bc.ca.
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