First patients to begin receiving care at long-awaited Kamloops cancer centre in 2027

KAMLOOPS — The long-awaited cancer care clinic in Kamloops took a step forward on Thursday (May 25). B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix was in Kamloops Thursday morning to announce that the concept plan for the new cancer care clinic has been approved and that a business case is in the works.

The minister was moving forward an NDP election promise of a full cancer care clinic in the city.

“Our cancer care needs this. We need to add capacity to deal with the patients we are going to see in 10 years. And how should we do that, should we add more capacity at our current sites or should we distribute that care, and I strongly believe — and this is different than previous people in this position — and that is distribute the care more. so we are adding four new cancer centers,” said Dix speaking to CFJC News following the announcement.

It’s expected that the first patients will begin receiving treatment in 2027. Dix laid out the timeline to help Kamloops get to that point, starting from former premier John Horgan’s promise at TRU during the 2020 election campaign.

“We started the work on this after 2020, got approval to go forward, prepared the concept plan, we got the funding approved, it’s in the 10-year capital plan, we announced the concept plan today,” stated Dix. “Because we were really confident about that, we started the business planning earlier. It usually takes 12-to-18 months. Instead, you will see the business plan approved in the next six months. Certainly before the end of 2023.”

The words from local officials in attendance Thursday were ‘cautiously optimistic.’ CEO of the Royal Inland Hospital Foundation Heidi Coleman was left with a number of questions for the minister.

“There is good news. We have never been this close to it — expect maybe in 1991, but I wasn’t here. We are working really hard to improve cancer care. They say we need drug navigators. We need more social workers. We need better supportive care. We need all that now,” said Coleman.

The Thompson Regional Hospital District has been fighting for the cancer care clinic in Kamloops and Chair Mike O’Reilly believes the latest news was more of what they already know.

“We needed a cancer care in Kamloops 10 years ago. And when we heard Minister Dix talk about three cancer care centers in B.C., he mentioned Surrey, Kamloops and Nanaimo. Surrey is well on its way as I understand, so it’s going to be Kamloops or Nanaimo that is going to be next up on the list. As the board, we need to work (to ensure) that Kamloops comes up next,” said O’Reilly.

O’Reilly continued to state how the whole community needs to call for movement in unison to the government.

Fellow City of Kamloops councillor and cancer survivor Dale Bass was more blunt.

“I don’t believe the timeline. I don’t believe he can get the business case done this year, get it through design, RFP (request for proposal) and get it built in three years. I just don’t believe it,” added Bass.

With the concept plan now complete, Dix stated the business plan will be completed by the end of the year, moving the community closer to needed cancer care.

“I think everybody in Kamloops wants to see this happen and I’m delighted it’s happening,” said Dix.