Through the RFQ process, Interior Health and BC Cancer will identify a shortlist of up to three qualified proponents, who will be invited to participate in the next step of the competitive selection process – the request for proposal (RFP) stage. This stage will determine which team Interior Health and BC Cancer will select to eventually lead the design and construction of the project. The request for qualifications process is expected to be finalised in June 2024, followed by the RFP process.

The provincial government announced approval of the business plan for the new BC Cancer centre at Royal Inland Hospital earlier this month. Planned as a five-storey facility built on the Westlands site, the new cancer centre here will have three linear accelerator vaults and include space for radiation treatment; radiation-therapy planning, including a CT simulator; an outpatient ambulatory care unit, including 10 exam rooms and two consultation rooms for radiation-therapy services; an additional MRI suite; and patient arrival and check-in areas.

In collaboration with Indigenous partners, there will be a sacred space for patients, caregivers and staff, with features to support traditional ceremonies. And a new 470-stall parkade will also be constructed as a part of the centre.

“The RFQ process marks an important step for teams to express their interest and qualifications to design and build the new BC Cancer centre,” said Minister of Health Adrian Dix. “We’re committed to keeping the momentum up in our work to expand access to critical cancer treatments for people in Kamloops and surrounding regions.”

“With one in two British Columbians projected to be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, we know there is a great need for expanded cancer care services in the province,” said David Byres, president and chief executive officer of the Provincial Health Services Authority. “The new BC Cancer centre at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops will increase our capacity to provide culturally safe, high-quality cancer care in this fast-growing region.”

Upgrades to Royal Inland Hospital to expand cancer care have also been approved, which include updating and expanding the pharmacy, and relocation and expansion of the Community Oncology Network clinic from the eighth floor to the main floor with more space and improved access. Cancer care delivered through the clinic includes oral and intravenous cancer treatment, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and hormonal therapy. The clinic also provides initial consultation and treatment planning with a medical oncologist, supportive care, follow-up care, and patient education.

“People in Kamloops and the surrounding area are looking forward to having greater access to cancer care at Royal Inland Hospital,” said Susan Brown, president and chief executive officer, Interior Health. “Together with BC Cancer, the project team is moving quickly with the procurement process, one of the many planned milestones as we continue to move this project forward.”

Dr Kim Chi, executive vice-president and chief medical officer at BC Cancer, said: “We’re excited to move forward with the procurement process and be one step closer to the construction of the new BC Cancer centre in Kamloops. We’re working in partnership with Interior Health to create a future where the people of Kamloops and surrounding regions will get the cancer care they need closer to home.”

The project budget is about $359 million, shared between the provincial government, Interior Health and Thompson Regional Hospital District.

The new BC Cancer centre is part of the ten-year BC Cancer Action Plan, which outlines steps to better prevent, detect and treat cancers. Construction is expected to begin in 2025 and to be completed in 2028.