The redevelopment project of Richmond Hospital in British Columbia, Canada, has reached a milestone, with the opening of a newly refurbished cancer care clinic.

The renovated clinic is situated on the ground floor of the Milan Ilich Pavilion.

It features two additional examination rooms, care bays, and a clinical teaching room.

These enhancements are part of Phase I of the redevelopment project, which also includes the relocation of services and the demolition of the Park Centre and Rotunda buildings.

The Park Centre previously housed the cancer-care clinic and psychiatric emergency unit while the Rotunda building contained offices and meeting rooms.

The cancer clinic is claimed to be pioneering a new approach to cancer care using the remote symptom monitoring (RSM) system, which will provide timely access to clinicians and reduce dependency on emergency department visits for symptoms that are manageable.

Enrolment for the RSM system began earlier this month to enhance cancer care.

British Columbia Minister of Health Adrian Dix said: “The opening of the modernised cancer clinic marks a significant milestone toward strengthening our public healthcare system and connecting people with the care they need in their own communities.

“The cancer clinic is part of the Richmond Hospital redevelopment project and is an example of work being done across the province to upgrade or expand hospitals, empowering healthcare workers to continue to deliver people-focused services and high-quality care.”

Phase II is set to begin in early 2024, with the issuance of a request for qualifications (RFQ) for the new nine-storey acute care tower, Yurkovich Family Pavilion.

The RFQ process will select builders for the design and construction of the 216-bed facility, which is scheduled for completion by 2029.

The pavilion will feature an expanded emergency department, additional operating rooms, and increased pre- and post-surgical care spaces, among other latest facilities.

Subsequent phases will see renovations to the south tower for new in-patient psychiatry and assessment units, a maternity ward, and a neonatal intensive-care unit.

The final phase involves the demolition of the north tower and power plant.

The total redevelopment is expected to conclude by 2031.

The project's cost is approximately C$861m ($644.59m) and will be shared by the provincial government through Vancouver Coastal Health and the Richmond Hospital Foundation.

Serving the community since 1966, Richmond Hospital's redevelopment is said to be the largest healthcare investment in the city's history.