Construction is now underway on a dedicated B.C. Children’s Hospital facility, giving access to children and youth with complex care needs throughout the province.

“We recognize that children with complex care needs and their families require support that goes beyond what a hospital or clinic provide,” said Bowinn Ma, Minister of Infrastructure. “With the new centre for health complexity, we’re delivering essential health-care infrastructure to support children throughout British Columbia with the most complex needs, while helping them and their families feel connected, understood and empowered throughout their care journey.”

A first of its kind in Canada, the new three-storey B.C. Children’s Hospital centre for health complexity will offer in-person and virtual care for children and youth in B.C. and the Yukon. The centre will connect people with appropriate services and provide specialized training and education for families, caregivers and health-care professionals. This will save families travel time and streamline care.

The centre will include 16 dedicated suites where children and families can reside for short, planned stays to access the centre’s services. Recognizing the demands complex care can take on family members and caregivers, the centre will also offer wellness, counselling and peer support.

The project team has been working closely with patient and caregiver partners, clinical and operational staff, and the B.C. Children’s and B.C. Women’s hospitals’ Indigenous Health team on planning the new centre. The facility will include an Indigenous healing garden, extensive green space, a teaching kitchen, public art and accessible wellness path that makes outdoor areas easy to navigate with a variety of mobility devices.

Completion is expected by December 2027 with the centre scheduled to open in early 2028.