This week, Vancouver’s new Joseph & Rosalie Segal Family Health Centre (JRSFHC) officially shifted from planning to reality with the announcement that the contract to design and build has been awarded to EllisDon Corporation in partnership with Parkin Architects.

The news comes at the end of a rigorous design-build procurement process that was monitored by a fairness auditor. VCH reviewed the qualifications of eight proponents before inviting three to submit final proposals. We selected the preferred proponent after a comprehensive review of each shortlisted submission.

The new building will have 100 private patient rooms.

Once complete, the JRSFHC will consolidate inpatient, outpatient and outreach mental health and addiction services in one building — and not just any building. The facility will meet LEED Gold green building certification standards to minimize its environmental footprint.

“Even more important, thanks to the input of more than 100 stakeholders – including many of our own mental health physicians, staff and patients –this building’s forward-thinking design will create a therapeutic environment focused on recovery, and a positive workplace that’s healthy, safe and comfortable,” says Laura Case, chief operating officer, Vancouver Community.

Unique features

The eight-storey building will have 100 private patient rooms, each with its own bathroom and toilet. Each inpatient floor will have physical fitness space and the building will offer space for spiritual practice.

The Centre will also feature comfort rooms and sensory modulation equipment provide patients opportunities to develop self-regulation and illness management skills while on-unit. These techniques play an important role in helping clinicians reduce the use of seclusion and restraint, while supporting patients in learning valuable skills they can take with them after discharge.

Patient-focused services

Every aspect of the Centre, from construction and furnishing, to care, will be patient-focused.

“This building is going to reflect a new era in the provision of mental health care,” explains Dr. Soma Ganesan, medical director of psychiatry at VCH. “The Segal Family Health Centre will be a healing place. It will provide compassionate mental health care while maintaining the highest level of dignity for patients.”

Huge step

Of the $82 million required for the new Centre, the provincial government is contributing $57 million.  VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation has committed $25 million to the project, $12 million of which has been donated by Joseph and Rosalie Segal and their family.  The Segal’s contribution is one of the largest-ever personal gifts for mental health in Canadian history.

“The selection of EllisDon as the builder represents a huge step toward our goal of creating a healing environment that will significantly improve the lives of those living with mental illness.  The Foundation is also very close to reaching an important milestone. Thanks to the Segal family and many other generous donors, we have less than $2 million to raise to fulfill our philanthropic commitment and make the building a reality,” says Barbara Grantham, president & CEO, VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation.

EllisDon is one of North America’s largest developers of new hospitals and health care facilities. They previously worked with Vancouver Coastal Health to construct the Jim Pattison tower structure at VGH.

The new mental health and addictions facility will make its home at the site of Willow Chest, which is nearing the final stages of demolition. New construction will begin this winter, with the JRSFHC scheduled for completion by 2017.

Footnote: Vancouver leaders acknowledge all those who have supported this project to date. Your time and commitment have helped us secure a partner who shares in our vision of what a healthy, nurturing environment can and should be for mental health patients, their families and our own care providers. We encourage everyone who is passionate about this work to visit the newly expanded VCH blog to share their hopes for the new space and/or their experiences as part of the Clinical Stakeholder Working Team, which has truly shaped the JRSFHC design – inside and out.