St. Paul's Hospital (Vancouver) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St. Paul's Hospital |
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| Providence Health Care | |
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_Downtown_-_OpenStreetMap.png)
 Location in Downtown Vancouver (British Columbia)
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| Geography | |
| Location | 1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada |
| Coordinates | 49°16′50″N 123°07′40″W / 49.280431°N 123.127887°W |
| Organization | |
| Care system | Medicare (Canada) |
| Hospital type | Teaching, Academic |
| Affiliated university | UBC Faculty of Medicine |
| Services | |
| Emergency department | Yes, Level III trauma center |
| History | |
| Founded | 1894 |
St. Paul's Hospital is a busy hospital in downtown Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. It's the oldest of seven hospitals run by Providence Health Care, a group that provides care based on Roman Catholic values.
St. Paul's welcomes all patients, no matter their faith. It offers many medical and surgical services. These include special care for hearts and kidneys. It also has a big program to help people with certain health challenges. The hospital is a teaching hospital for the University of British Columbia. About 4,000 people work at St. Paul's Hospital.
In 2020, the land where the hospital stands was sold for almost $1 billion. This money will help build a brand new St. Paul's Hospital. The new hospital will be in the False Creek Flats area and is expected to open in 2027.
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A Look Back: Hospital History
St. Paul's Hospital first opened in 1894. This was just eight years after the City of Vancouver was officially created. The hospital was started by the Sisters of Providence. This was a religious group that began in Montreal in 1843. They helped set up many schools, hospitals, and homes for people in need.
The first hospital building had 25 beds and cost $28,000. It was named after Bishop Paul Durieu of New Westminster. The Sisters of Providence promised to give caring help to everyone who needed it. This promise was tested when Vancouver grew quickly during the Klondike gold rush in the 1890s.
By 1906, St. Paul's was one of the first hospitals to have its own X-ray machine. The hospital grew many times to help more people. In 1904, 50 more beds were added. A School of Nursing also opened in 1907. In 1912, the original building was replaced with a new, fireproof one. This new building had a surgical department and 120 beds. More additions in 1931 and 1945 added another 500 beds.
By the 1970s, St. Paul's became a main hospital for special medical services. This led to building two tall towers in 1983 and 1991. These towers were next to the original building.
In 2010, the hospital created Angel's Cradle. This was the first modern "baby hatch" in Canada. It allowed mothers to safely leave their newborns at the hospital if they couldn't care for them. A sensor alerts staff when a baby is placed inside. In its first five years, two healthy babies were placed there.
St. Paul's also has a special program for Indigenous people. It is led by Indigenous staff and includes a Sacred Space. This program helps promote wellness and understanding.
The hospital building is on Vancouver's Heritage Register. However, it is not legally protected as a heritage building. Its future is uncertain after the hospital moves to its new location. The current building has challenges because it's old. It's hard to move around, and it lacks modern safety features. For example, the X-ray department is far from the emergency room.
A New Hospital for the Future
For many years, people have wanted to update the hospital. A plan for a new hospital was made in 2010. In 2012, the Premier of British Columbia said construction would start in 2016.
In 2015, it was decided that the hospital services would move to a new location. This new site is near False Creek. The new hospital will be much bigger, growing from over 400 beds to more than 700 beds. It will be a complete health campus with many services.
The new St. Paul's Hospital will offer:
- A full-service hospital for serious care
- Emergency care available 24/7
- Programs for long-term health conditions
- Mental health and addiction programs
- On-site living care for patients
- Outpatient clinics for various needs
- A birthing center for low-risk births
- Care for people at the end of life
- Space for medical research and teaching
- Community health programs
St. Paul's School of Nursing
The nursing school opened in 1907. This was because the hospital needed more nurses. Women between 20 and 30 years old with "strong health and good character" were asked to apply.
Students would first have a one-month trial period. If accepted, they received a place to live, food, and a small payment. They would then go through a three-year training program. After passing an exam, they received a diploma. The school was known for being very strict.
By the 1940s, the training was more organized. Students first learned basic nursing skills for four months. They also took classes in psychology, anatomy, and ethics. After graduating, nurses could take special courses in surgery or obstetrics.
In 1951, the school started accepting men. The school closed in 1974. By then, nurses began to be trained at colleges and universities instead.
Research at St. Paul's
St. Paul's is home to important research centers. These include the Providence Healthcare Research Institute. It also has the Centre for Heart Lung Innovation. These centers work to discover new ways to treat diseases and improve health.
