Health Vision Sea to Sky update and Phase One engagement findings

We are pleased to share an update on the Health Vision Sea to Sky master planning process.

VCH is planning for the future in the fast-growing Sea to Sky region, with an aim to maintain access to safe, high-quality health care now and in the future. To respond to the current and future health and wellness needs of the Sea to Sky corridor, VCH is developing an integrated high-level health services master plan for the Sea to Sky corridor, and specific health-related site plans for the Squamish, Whistler and Pemberton areas. The Sea to Sky integrated high-level master plan will address health and wellness needs, as well as the future population growth, seasonal fluctuations and aging projections for the Squamish, Whistler and Pemberton areas. The North Shore will also be considered because many people in the Sea to Sky corridor rely on North Shore health services and Lions Gate Hospital.

Phase One of the Health Vision Sea to Sky engagement sought input to inform the vision for the future of acute, long-term care and community services in the Sea to Sky corridor. The first phase of the engagement is now complete.

From June to October 2023, VCH engaged with the public, key community partners, health-care staff and residents on the critical gaps and challenges around current health-care services in the Sea to Sky corridor, as well as future priorities and opportunities. All six First Nations on whose traditional territories the facilities in the Sea to Sky corridor are located and who are served by VCH health-care services were also engaged: Squamish, Lil’wat, Skatin, N’Quatqua, Xa’xtsa and Samahquam. We’d like to thank everyone who has participated in the engagement so far.

Phase One engagement opportunities were promoted through a mail-out to households in the Sea to Sky corridor, interactive posters canvassed throughout the corridor, a press release and media coverage, as well as social media and promotion to staff and medical staff.

Download the summary report of the key findings in the Phase One community engagement 

Community input is valued and will inform decisions about the clinical services plan. This plan will seek to address gaps and challenges, as well as consider identified priorities. The next phase of engagement is anticipated in winter 2024.  

We will continue to keep participants informed through this process by sharing updates and seeking your input on plans as they are developed. We encourage you to stay updated on the engagement by visiting Engage VCH. If you have any questions or require additional information about Health Vision Sea to Sky, please contact us at healthvisionSTS@vch.ca.

Your feedback is shaping the future of health care in the Sea to Sky corridor, and we are deeply appreciative of your continued engagement.