First steps will be taken this week to begin renovating the atrium at Richmond Hospital.

What changes will be made?

The focus of the atrium renewal will be to improve the function of the space by locating key services like information and registration, up-front and visible; improving the quality and safety of the physical environment and improving way-finding cues.

Within the new design, a number of existing functions will be relocated including admitting, volunteer information, lottery booth and gift shop.

A major change will be the addition of a space that separates the atrium from the outside doors.

The current patient/family resource area will be expanded to fill the entire space and will include resources such as handouts and computers, quiet rooms, reflection and Sacred Space and a wheelchair accessible washroom.

To accommodate the creation of the new Patient Family Centre, the academic library will be relocated to the rotunda.

When will the changes happen?

An invitation to tender for construction is being posted this week on BC Bid and closes at the beginning of March.

Construction will take place in two phases beginning in April and will be completed by mid August. During the first phase of the construction a large part of the atrium will be closed, services currently located there will be relocated or temporarily closed.

Important donors

Thanks to a major donation from the Milan and Maureen Ilich Foundation through Richmond Hospital Foundation, and existing capital funding to replace the rough exposed aggregate floor in the Atrium, the space is being transformed to one that creates a positive, welcoming experience for patients, families, visitors and staff, as well as improving way-finding and waiting rooms throughout the hospital.

When the Atrium is opened, the Westminster Health Centre will be renamed the Milan Ilich Pavilion in honour of over $10-million in cumulative giving by the Milan and Maureen Ilich Foundation to Richmond Hospital.

Can I still get to the hospital?

Alternate routes into the hospital and to services such as ambulatory care, outpatient rehab and admitting will be clearly marked.