The Baltimore-based hospital consistently ranked as America’s best has confirmed it has been in talks with a Kelowna first nation about Canada’s first $125-million luxury hospital aimed at medical tourists and Canadians seeking expedited care.
“We have had some very early, preliminary discussions with representatives of [the Westbank] First Nation regarding their desire to establish a hospital,” said Gary Stephenson, director of public affairs for Johns Hopkins Hospital.
The Westbank First Nation (WFN) wants to build a 100-bed hospital on six hectares of band land, overlooking Lake Okanagan and the city of Kelowna. The plan includes 10 operating rooms, an “international-calibre chef” and full lab and diagnostic capacity.
In the second phase, the project would include a spa, gym, DNA diagnostics, hyperbaric oxygen chamber, stem cell therapies, an assisted living residence for seniors and residences for the “world-class staff” of the health care facilities, according to an executive summary of the Lake Okanagan Wellness Clinic limited partnership document.
Stephenson said facilities catering to medical tourism are not typically the kind with which Johns Hopkins gets involved. Stephenson referred to the organization’s mission statement, which is “to establish international programs and businesses that are consistent with, and support, the Johns Hopkins mission of excellence in clinical care, research and teaching.”
According to the document obtained by The Vancouver Sun, the project should be attractive to investors because “around the world, the words ‘health care’ and ‘unsustainable’ are synonymous.”
WFN wants to capitalize on the reining in of public funding on health care, while anticipating that private sector health spending will explode because of population demographics.
Chief Robert Louie told The Vancouver Sun that WFN’s contribution would be the land and investors would cover the costs of construction. He is hoping that Johns Hopkins, or another reputable entity, will run the hospital because that would lend instant credibility and top-notch medical talent.
Louie said the private hospital has the endorsement of more than 90 per cent of band members.
A returning officer’s report of a special membership meeting and secret ballot vote that took place last summer, shows 506 band members were eligible to vote, but only 77 did.
Of the ballots cast, 65 were in favour of a business partnership with a company called Ad Vitam to develop the medical facility, and 12 were opposed.
Sun health issues reporter
pfayerman@vancouversun.com
2012witter.com/MedicineMatters
source: http://www.vancouversun.com / The Vancouver Sun / Home> Health / by Pamela Fayerman / April 17th, 2012
