Collaboration is a key element to planning and implementing the transfer of Riverview Hospital patients and resources to the geographic health authorities. This is evident in the leadership provided by the Riverview Hospital Redevelopment Project Steering Committee, which includes representatives from the Ministry of Health, Riverview Hospital (which is part of the Provincial Health Services Authority) and the five geographic health authorities (Fraser Health Authority, Interior Health Authority, Northern Health Authority, Vancouver Coastal Health Authority and Vancouver Island Health Authority).

This committee is responsible for overall implementation of the tertiary services component of the Provincial Mental Health Plan and will ensure the appropriate facilities are in place and ready to accept patients within the specified time frames. When/if there are complications that may result in delays or require a change of plans, this committee is responsible for identifying these issues and bringing forward decisions as required. Above all, the committee will ensure that quality care is maintained or enhanced as patients are relocated from Riverview Hospital to the specialized facilities established in communities around the province.

Project monitoring/patient tracking

A responsibility of the RVH Redevelopment Project is ensuring appropriate follow-up of patients transferred from Riverview to the new facilities around the province. A five-year follow-up of 189 people transferred to facilities in Coquitlam, Victoria, Prince George and Kamloops is nearing completion.

In addition to this comprehensive tracking initiative, the health authorities have also agreed to collaboratively monitor the status of all patients transferred from RVH to the health authorities through to the completion of the Riverview Hospital Redevelopment Project. PHSA will coordinate and manage this monitoring activity, with appropriate protections for patient confidentiality.

Other committees and processes

In addition to the Steering Committee, Transition Planning Committees are in place within each of the geographic health authorities to oversee the development of the new facilities and plan for the transfer of patients. (See the following links for information specific to each health authority.)

Fraser Health Authority: www.fraserhealth.ca
Interior Health Authority: www.interiorhealth.ca
Northern Health Authority: www.northernhealth.ca
Vancouver/Coastal Health Authority: www.vancoastalhealth.ca
Vancouver Island Health Authority: www.viha.ca
Provincial Health Services Authority: www.phsa.ca