Nanaimo Regional Hospital District Board adopts 2025 budget and updated strategy
Posted in: News Item
Date Posted: 2025-03-26
Organization Name: Nanaimo Regional Hospital District
Location: Nanaimo
The Nanaimo Regional Hospital District (NRHD) adopted a budget of $57.5 million for 2025 at its March 25 board meeting. The 2025 budget includes $3.5 million for capital equipment and minor projects, $10.5 million for major capital projects, $0.7 million for administration expenses, and $6 million for debt servicing on major capital projects.
The NRHD identified five priority capital projects in 2022. Progress has been made on all projects. The Government of British Columbia (the province) has approved the new high acuity unit (under construction) and the Nanaimo Cancer Centre (to begin construction in 2025) at the Nanaimo Regional General Hospital (NRGH). The long-term care facility, to be located in Lantzville, is in the design phase.
In the fall of 2024, Premier David Eby committed to building a new patient tower and cardiac catheterization lab at NRGH.
“The Nanaimo Regional Hospital District is grateful to the province for its significant commitment to improved healthcare infrastructure and services in Nanaimo,” said Janice Perrino, NRHD Chair. “We continue to urge the province to create a plan and timeline for a new patient tower and cardiac catheterization lab as soon as possible. These two remaining priority projects are essential for residents in our region to get the critical care they need earlier and close to home. Access to local healthcare also relieves the burden on patients’ loved ones who often must drive them long distances for treatment or procedures.”
A new patient tower would include modernized patient rooms, surgical spaces, labs, and administrative areas while supporting more specialized programs. A new cardiac catheterization lab would improve timely diagnosis and reduce the need for Central and North Island patients to travel to Victoria or Vancouver for interventional cardiology procedures that may prevent further need for surgery.
The NRHD has a financial strategy to support its contribution to these critical projects and is ready to work in partnership with the Province to find innovative solutions to move these projects forward. This includes paying for the business case for the patient tower as part of the NRHD Board’s cost-sharing commitment.
As part of the Hospital District Board’s efforts to minimize its reliance on debt and related debt charges, the tax levy of 21 per cent in 2025 that allows for a reserve contribution of $36.7 million will bring the reserve balance to $100 million by the end of the year.
About the Nanaimo Regional Hospital District
The Nanaimo Regional Hospital District (NRHD) provides annual capital funding to Island Health in support of local healthcare facilities under the Hospital District Act. It is an independent entity that has its own budget and is governed by a Board of Directors while sharing the same boundaries, directors and administrative staff as the Regional District of Nanaimo.
Hospital districts are required to approve a provisional budget on or before December 31 each year and adopt, by bylaw, an annual budget on or before March 31 each year. More information about the NRHD can be found online at: rdn.bc.ca/hospital-district.