Northern Health has released its first detailed plan for moving patients from the current Dawson Creek and District Hospital to the new facility, with the big move planned for early 2027. The health authority has formed a Patient Transfer Committee with international firm Health Care Relocations to make sure patients are moved safely.
The committee was formed in May 2026 and includes clinical leaders and experts from Health Care Relocations (HCR), a company with experience in over 500 hospital relocations. Together, they are building step-by-step guides for medication management, infection control, patient identification, communications, and emergency response during the move.
To prepare, a staff rehearsal is planned for November 2026. This walk-through will help workers spot gaps, fix timing issues, and gain confidence before the actual transfer day. “Planning has been underway for the Patient Transfer Rehearsal in November, which is a walk-through of move day,” Northern Health stated on its project page.
Families with loved ones in hospital when the move happens will see several changes. Patients will receive a bag provided by HCR for their belongings, and any flowers must be taken home by family and brought back once the patient settles into the new room. Elective procedures will be scaled back as the move date gets closer, so staff can focus on patient transfers. Emergent procedures will continue as needed.
The new Dawson Creek & District Hospital is a $590 million project, partly funded by a $177 million contribution from the Peace River Regional Hospital District. Construction is two months ahead of schedule, with substantial completion now expected on September 29, 2026. The facility will have 70 private rooms with bathrooms, a doubled emergency department, and culturally safe spaces designed with local Indigenous communities.
