According to a media release from the RHD, highlights of the 2021 budget include the ongoing pay down for the recently constructed Willingdon Creek Village complex care facility and $2.6 million in approved grant funding toward facility upgrades, renovations and purchase of major clinical equipment for the qathet region including: pharmacy room upgrades at Powell River General Hospital; chiller replacement at the Powell River General Hospital clinic; building envelope repairs at Powell River Evergreen Extended Care Unit; and the second phase of roofing at Evergreen Care Unit.
The release stated that this year’s $4.9 million budget means a $66,000 requisition increase from that of 2020. This translates into a residential tax rate of approximately $16 per $100,000 of net taxable value based on 2021 completed roll values.
“I am very proud of the work our board continues to do in supporting improvements to our health-care facilities and initiating projects that ultimately serve our community with the best care possible,” stated Powell River Regional Hospital District board chair CaroleAnn Leishman. “In the wake of this especially challenging year, it really highlights the importance of our duty to keep our health-care facilities in top working order and to continue to plan for our community's health care needs well into the future.”
The RHD does not operate hospital facilities but does contribute to health services in the region. According to the release, the RHD owns the Willingdon Creek Village and the former Saint John Ambulance building on Arbutus Street, which is currently leased to Miklat Recovery House Society. The RHD has provided hospital district lands to support development of emergency supportive housing and designated the remainder of undeveloped lands on Abbotsford Street for future hospital usage.
Funding through the RHD to support regional health care is cost-shared, with the province traditionally paying 60 per cent and the RHD paying 40 per cent.
