St Paul’s Hospital has stood on Burrard Street in Downtown Vancouver for the last 100 years and Providence Health Care announced this morning that it is set to close, with a new facility and health care campus being built in the vicinity of Main and Terminal in False Creek.
St Paul’s Hospital to Close, New False Creek Facility to be Built
Providence Health Care operates 16 health care facilities in Greater Vancouver, including St Paul’s. Here’s more information from their press release this morning:
The new hospital will continue as one of British Columbia’s two most specialized hospitals for adults. It will also be at the centre of a network of new and existing dedicated primary care services in the region, including services to support those living in Vancouver’s West End. In addition, as part of the Station Street development, Providence will look at building a number of social housing units to provide affordable housing options for Vancouver residents.
Planning for the new hospital and integrated health care campus will include the following key components: A new, full-service critical care hospital; 24/7 primary care services; chronic disease management services; mental health and addictions beds and programs; on-site residential care beds and programs; ambulatory services and outpatient clinics; non-acute medical services; a low-risk birthing centre; end-of-life care; research and teaching; community care; community outreach programs.
During the redevelopment and planning process, Providence will consult with members of the community on how best to meet the primary health care needs of seniors and others in the West End.
When patients come to the new St. Paul’s, there will be a centralized intake process that will determine the care most appropriate for each person—whether that be hospital care, primary, community care or other health care supports. This new integrated intake approach will ensure patients are directed and receive the care they need as quickly as possible.
Vancouver’s West End/Coal Harbour MLA, Spender Chandra Herbert, has been a long-time advocate for keeping St Paul’s in Downtown Vancouver. He voiced his frustration on Twitter this morning:
The West End's been hit with a double whammy. Oil spill closed our beaches, now Premier Clark wants to close our hospital.
— Spencer Chandra Herbert (@SChandraHerbert) April 13, 2015
Providence says the plan builds on St. Paul’s current provincial role in areas such as heart, lung, kidney and HIV/AIDS care by developing new centres of excellence in addictions, mental health, aging and seniors’ care. No timeline was announced with the plan this morning.
Experience the thrill of a lifetime as you rappel 19 storeys down the side of Vancouver’s third tallest building, the Shaw Tower, all for a good local cause. Dare to Leap‘s inaugural fundraiser in support of Outward Bound Canada’s new Urban Youth Program takes place April 16th and there’s still time to sign up, fundraise, and participate in this challenge.
Dare to Leap
More than 60 inspired individuals, corporate teams and intrepid adventurers are invited to rappel 200ft. of the Shaw Tower in downtown Vancouver on Thursday, April 16, 2015. In addition to experiencing the thrill of a lifetime, “Urban Leapers” will be inspiring changes that reach far higher than their 200-foot journey. By raising funds for Outward Bound Canada’s Vancouver Urban Adventure Programs, participants will be providing opportunities for disadvantaged youth to experience life changing, resiliency-building programs.
In 2010 Outward Bound Canada piloted its Urban Adventure Program Model, introducing thousands of at-risk urban youth to exciting and adventurous challenges right in their local urban neighbourhoods. The Urban Adventure Program was launched in Vancouver through partnership with local school boards and has introduced over 500 disadvantaged youth to the incredible wilderness over the past year.
Photo of me by Nordica Photography when I participated in a similar rappelling/fundraising event a few years ago. Frightening but for a great cause, and an experience I’ll never forget!
For those interested in the ultimate adventure, there is still time to register for Dare to Leap or pledge funds to a participant. Registration is $100 and if you raise an additional $900 you will be able to participate in the event. For those wishing to cheer on the brave participants, there will be a viewing area at the entrance to the Shaw Tower, along with music, events and activities throughout the day on April 16th.
Follow Outward Bound Canada on Facebook and Twitter for more information.
Update Before Dare to Leap
I had the chance to take some photos from the 20th floor, where participants will be starting their descent tomorrow in support of Outward Bound! Here’s the view:
Best of luck to all of the participants and thank you for supporting Outward Bound Canada!
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by Rebecca BollwittDisclosure: Sponsored Post — This post is sponsored by Samsung Canada Please review the Policy & Disclosure section for further information.
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The wait is over! Samsung Canada has launched the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge which is now available in black sapphire, white pearl, and gold platinum* styles. If you got in the #S6Lineup or pre-ordered your device through your carrier you will soon have the sleek and powerful Galaxy S6 or Galaxy S6 Edge in the palm of your hand.
I’ve been playing with the Galaxy S6 over the last week, mostly for taking photos and using apps which is the main extent of my smartphone usage. The biggest feature I noticed was the screen (5.1″ Quad HD Super AMOLED® display) and its intensity. Colours popped and were much more bold than on other devices. The auto HDR was also helpful for capturing vivid scenes:
No filters. Left: Looking up 25 storeys at Central City in Surrey. Right: Looking up at Shangri-La in Vancouver.
Left: No filter. Flowers outside Weeks House in Downtown Vancouver’s West End. No filters used on each. Right: Using the built-in photo editor on the Galaxy S6 to add a light flare.
I used Quick Launch exclusively, calling up the camera without unlocking the phone and ready to shoot in under 0.7 seconds. The all-new, front-facing 5MP camera also comes with the world’s first, real-time, shadow-reduced (HDR) selective focus, so even in low light you can take clearer, brighter pictures.
The power was great too. I started writing when the battery was at 42% and in 9 minutes it has charged up to 50% (even while I was editing and pulling photos off to include in this post). I have also been using Smart Manager to check in on the battery status, storage, RAM, and security at a glance.
Win a Samsung Galaxy S6
If you would like to own your very own Galaxy S6, I have a device to give away to one lucky reader thanks to Samsung Canada. Here’s how you can enter to win:
Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
RT to enter to win a @SamsungCanada #GalaxyS6 from @Miss604 http://ow.ly/LpwbG
Follow Samsung Canada on Facebook and Twitter for more information. I will draw one contest winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Thursday, April 16, 2015. Colour of the prize device will be based on availability.
*The Gold platinum style will be available April 30, 2015.
Barry Manilow has hit the road one last time for a North American tour and Vancouver is on his list. The pop superstar, who performed more than 400 concerts at the Las Vegas Hilton and Paris Las Vegas from 2005-2011, will play Pepsi Live at Rogers Arena on May 26th as a part of the ONE LAST TIME tour that started out in February.
The GRAMMY®, TONY®, and EMMY® Award-winning musician’s career skyrocketed to superstardom when his mega hit song, “Mandy,” topped the charts in 1975. In the spirit of that special year, tickets will be priced to tie into that year and will start at $19.75. According to concert promoter AEG Live, Manilow insisted that the average ticket price remain low and that a greater range of ticket prices be available.
Tickets and exclusive VIP packages are available and in addition to great seats, VIP packages include limited edition memorabilia, VIP parking, and much more.
Manilow released his latest album, MY DREAM DUETS last October and the album debuted at #4, making it Manilow’s 15th Top 10 album. Modern technology has given him the opportunity to record his “dream” duets with his own musical heroes on his latest album. From cherished idols like Judy Garland and Louis Armstrong to contemporary icons like Whitney Houston and John Denver, they have all joined Barry in his “virtual recording studio.” MY DREAM DUETS is in stores now.
Barry Manilow’s unparalleled career encompasses virtually every area of music, including performing, composing, arranging and producing. A Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee, Manilow has triumphed in every medium of entertainment. With worldwide record sales exceeding 80 million, Barry Manilow is ranked as the top Adult Contemporary chart artist of all time with over 50 Top 40 hits.
Win Tickets to Barry Manilow in Vancouver
I have 3 pairs of tickets to give away for Barry Manilow‘s concert in Vancouver, here’s how you can enter to win:
Leave a comment naming your favourite Barry Manilow song (1 entry)
RT to enter to win tickets to @BarryManilow in Vancouver from @Miss604 http://ow.ly/LpFMf
I will draw all 3 winners, who will each receive a pair of tickets to the May 26th show, on Friday, April 17, 2015 at 12:00pm. For more information about Barry Manilow‘s tour and performance in Vancouver follow him on Facebook and Twitter.
Update The winners are Sandy, Wally Mag, and Meredith!
