qathet General Hospital

From April 8 to June 9, 2024, the Powell River Airport is undergoing a planned shutdown to make upgrades to the runway.

During this time, patient safety, care and continuity of services remain our top priority. Due to the temporary closure, Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) is implementing several operational adjustments regarding qathet General Hospital (qGH) patient transfers, transportation of referred-out lab specimens, and staff and medical staff travel.

VCH is working with BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) to add additional helicopter services to transport those patients who would normally travel by fixed-wing air ambulance. High priority patients will continue to be transported by BCEHS helicopter.

Patients who are medically stable and returning to the qathet Region from other hospitals will return by helicopter or ground transport, as per usual processes. If inclement weather prevents air travel in or out of Powell River, VCH will follow BCEHS’ established protocol.

As Pacific Coastal Air will be unable to fly into Powell River during this time, Harbour Air is adding  float plane flights to Vancouver Harbour and YVR South Terminal seven days a week. 

While qGH Lab Services will continue to complete the majority of patient specimen testing onsite, lab samples that require testing in the Lower Mainland will be sent via ground courier during this time. Routine blood products from Canadian blood services will continue to be shipped by ground transport, and urgent requests will be transported on Harbour Air, as needed.

Thank you for your understanding and patience during this time.