LETTER – When will new cancer centre be built, and who will pay for it?

Dear Mr. Premier,
Re: Kamloops Cancer Care Centre

During the recent provincial election, you made a commitment for a Cancer Care Centre to be built in Kamloops within the next four years. As local MLA’s for the Thompson Regional Hospital District (TRHD) Board several questions have arisen, and we are looking for clarification to be able to provide accurate answers to our constituents.

What is the expected operational date for the Cancer Care Centre? Has the planning for the new Cancer Care Centre started?

What is the scope of Cancer treatment services that will be provided in the new Centre, and will said scope be inclusive of at least two linear accelerators?

Where will the new Cancer Care Centre be located?

Is the money for the planning being provided by Interior Health Authority (IHA) or the Ministry of Health?

Who will be the lead agency in this project, Ministry of Health, IHA or BC Cancer?

Given previous Cancer Centre’s have been a collaboration between the Province and BC Cancer, is this the intended model for the Kamloops Cancer Care Centre?

Given previous Cancer Centre’s were not funded by local Hospital Boards, will the TRHD be expected to commit capital dollars or will the new Cancer Care Centre be funded by the Province and BC Cancer?

If the intention is to seek capital dollars from the TRHD, what is the contribution expected to be? Will Hospital Foundations be expected to fundraise for the new Cancer Care Centre?

If the intention is to seek a contribution from Hospital Foundations, what is the amount expected to be?

If the expectation is for Capital dollars from either the TRHD or Hospital Foundations, will the Cancer Care Centre proceed without those commitments?

The need for enhanced Cancer care in Kamloops and the surrounding region has never been greater. We look forward to not only answers to the questions above, but also to working collaboratively with all stakeholders to get this project built and operational within the four-year timeframe that you have promised.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter and we look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

Peter Milobar, MLA Kamloops – North Thompson

Todd Stone, MLA Kamloops – South Thompson

Jackie Tegart, MLA Fraser – Nicola

Lorne Doerkson, MLA Cariboo-Chilcotin

Greg Kyllo, MLA Shuswap