VANCOUVER COASTAL HEALTH

Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) is the regional health authority responsible for delivering healthcare to more than 1.25 million people in British Columbia. It covers a geographically diverse region, including Vancouver, Richmond, the North Shore, and the Sea-to-Sky corridor up to the Central Coast.

As of February 2026, VCH is undergoing significant expansion to accommodate BC's aging population and growing urban centers.

1. Major Facilities and Hubs

VCH operates a massive network of 13 hospitals and over 120 service locations.

• Vancouver General Hospital (VGH): The largest facility in the region and a provincial leader in adult trauma, neurosurgery, and specialized surgery.

• Lions Gate Hospital (North Vancouver): Features the newly opened Paul Myers Tower (completed in 2025), which modernized clinical spaces for the North Shore and Sea-to-Sky regions.

• Richmond Hospital: A vital community hub currently undergoing a multi-billion dollar redevelopment.

• UBC Hospital: Specializes in elective surgery, brain health, and seniors' care.

• Providence Health Care (Partner): VCH works closely with Providence to operate St. Paul’s Hospital, which is also currently undergoing a massive relocation and rebuild in the False Creek Flats.

2. Major 2026 Projects & Milestones

2026 is a "building year" for VCH with several transformational projects reaching key phases:

• VGH+ Tower Expansion: In January 2026, Vancouver City Council officially approved the zoning for two new towers (26 and 28 stories) at West 12th and Oak. This project will add 280 new long-term care beds and modernized outpatient diagnostic spaces.

• Richmond Hospital - Yurkovich Family Pavilion: Phase 2 construction is scheduled to begin in early 2026. This 9-floor acute care tower will feature a new emergency department (86 spaces) and 11 state-of-the-art operating rooms.

• VGH Surgical Renewal: Construction continues on 15 new operating rooms to increase surgical capacity to over 19,000 procedures annually by the end of the year.

• Small Care Homes: A new initiative launched in February 2026 to pilot smaller, more domestic-style long-term care environments for seniors across the region.

3. Public Health & Community Alerts (Feb 2026)

• Facility Outbreaks: As of early February, there are active gastrointestinal illness outbreaks at several sites, including Sunrise of Vancouver and the German Canadian Care Home. Visitors are advised to check the VCH Outbreak Bulletin before going to these sites.

• Harm Reduction Update: The Thomus Donaghy Overdose Prevention Site on Howe Street officially closed on January 31, 2026. VCH has redirected clients to nearby sites in the Downtown Eastside and Yaletown.

• Drug Alerts: High-risk alerts remain active for the region due to the presence of medetomidine and heavy sedatives in the illicit supply.

4. How to Access Care in 2026

Need

Service

Contact / Location

Life-Threatening Emergency

Emergency Department

Call 9-1-1

Non-Life-Threatening

Urgent & Primary Care (UPCC)

Sites in City Centre, REACH, and North Shore

Health Advice 24/7

HealthLink BC

Call 8-1-1

Mental Health Crisis

Access & Assessment Centre

(604) 675-3700 (803 W 12th Ave)