The centre for health complexity

Not long ago, certain diagnoses meant near-certain outcomes. Children with complex neuromuscular disorders rarely saw kindergarten. Premature infants with underdeveloped lungs wouldn’t survive their first hours. Families facing rare neurological conditions had few answers—and even fewer treatments.

Medical advances have changed what’s possible. Children who once faced impossible odds are now living longer lives. But they require extraordinary care as they manage complex conditions. Many need help with daily activities, depend on sophisticated medical technologies for survival, and are in and out of clinics, hospitals and therapy programs.

For parents and caregivers, this means being there 24/7. Each day, they care for their child while navigating a web of countless services—juggling appointments with specialists, coordinating with community organizations and managing teams of health-care professionals. The weight of it all is overwhelming and exhausting.

“Boxes of medical supplies line my hallway closets. Alarms go off, reminding me to silence the feeding pump, check her heart rate or adjust the oxygen concentrator. I am constantly on alert—emergency bag ready by the door.”– Parent of a child with health complexity

Redefining care

No family should navigate this journey alone. To better support them, BC Children’s Hospital is creating a state-of-the-art centre for health complexity—the first of its kind in Canada, and a potential model for the world. Set to open in early 2028 at the former Sunny Hill Health Centre in East Vancouver, the centre will bring together experts to deliver coordinated care, teaching and training, and family wellness support.

That’s why BC Children’s Hospital Foundation has committed to fundraising $60-million to help bring this project to life. Through the generous commitment of donors in the province, the Foundation will support construction enhancements in the new centre, along with advanced equipment, innovative technology and purpose-based art to create a healing environment designed uniquely for children and families with health complexity.
This centre will launch an entirely new approach to supporting children with complex medical needs.

Here’s what we can make possible together:

• Better care coordination. Each family will have a dedicated team—a nurse, social worker and logistics navigator—that will help coordinate care, manage appointments and improve access to services.
• Child and family suites. 16 thoughtfully designed suites provide space for families during care transitions or when learning new techniques. Each includes connected rooms for children and families with a fully accessible bathroom.
• Barrier-free spaces. Many kids with complex health needs rely on mobility devices. The centre features a beautiful three-level accessible ramp—made possible entirely by donors—that replaces traditional stairs.
• Technology that connects. Consult rooms will have interactive systems allowing specialists, community doctors and family to participate in a child’s care all at once, no matter where they are. With one button, families can connect with medical teams or relatives hundreds of kilometres away.
• A place that feels like home. The centre will have a dining area with a large patio, barrier-free recreation rooms, healing art and therapeutic outdoor spaces—with plenty of natural light and elements of nature throughout.
• Welcoming and culturally safe. The centre will be inclusive for families of all cultural backgrounds, with spaces that honour local First Nations and accommodate cultural practices like smudging ceremonies and gatherings.

1% needs 100% of our support

9,000 children across BC and the Yukon—roughly 1% of kids—live with health complexity. Yet they account for more than one-third of hospital admissions.

Building brighter futures

Children with health complexity have defied extraordinary odds and broken medical predictions once thought impossible. Now, it’s our turn to help break their barriers to care.

We’re raising $60 million to bring this bold vision to life—and you can be at the forefront. Your support will fund a state-of-the-art centre with cutting-edge technology, thoughtfully designed spaces and a true family-centered approach.