December 2012

The Riverview Heritage Conservation Plan, has been completed, read the report and decide if it adequately describes the heritage values.
Man who broke out of Colony Farm back in care

But we cannot have a full house, so another patient goes missing:
Patient missing from PoCo psychiatric hospital
The Coquitlam RCMP websites information about this patient, Kurt Derksen, age 58. Note that he went missing in Richmond, on a visit with his family, and that he had a full beard, last time he was seen.
Missing Port Coquitlam psychiatric hospital patient found in Ontario.
    [ So Kurt Derksen is now back in custody.]

Patricia Donna Reed, rest in peace

Jury recommends better response measures after woman dies at Riverview

Coroners make recommendations after mentally-ill woman's death

Daniel Reed, Patricia Donna Reed's husband.  Picture: Carmine Marinelli, 24Hours

           Family calls for better monitoring of mental patients

                  Missing person search lacked leader: inquest

                        Riverview security wasn't informed of missing patient for 8 hours, inquest hears.
                                             [Sounds all to familiar too me!]

                                Inquest urges use of swipe cards, GPS
                                           Mental patient ‘died alone in a ditch’, jury told
                           Slip-ups and delays in locating patient outlined;
                                Lack of zone-by-zone grid search meant no one looked in ditch where body was found

[A little late! The inquest was conveniently called after the hospital was closed.

 Timeline: Missing February 9,2011, found five days later, inquest posted (PDF) on August 23,2012, to run from December 3-7, 2012,  this stinks of political interference, since the hospital was officially closed in July, 2012. Coroners Verdict, (PDF)

  I wonder if the present societies who are using the site, are going to read and enable the changes recommended in this report? The ultimate responsibility lies with the CEO, and no censure will occur, as usual.  In theory Leslie Arnold was the CEO, but I find that Leslie Arnold and Michael Marchbank are actually both the Co-chairs. Heads should roll, this type of  incident has occurred before and the lessons from it were not learned. Can you say "Peter Principle"?]

UPDATE:       Shane Yorke left a message  19 October 2015

Very sad. I was the officer that found Patricia Reed's body in Feb a few years ago. She was the elderly lady that went missing and past away on the RVH Grounds. The hospital staff only cared about covering their ass and they notified Security that she was missing, but when I asked if they wanted us to conduct a search, they replied, "No", just keep a lookout for her. Well keeping a lookout for a lady on 240 acres of land, and over 68 buildings, while dealing with alarm responses, aggressive patients along with our other duties was impossible. Finally a search was initiated after a few days, but staff said not to bring in extra staff to conduct a full search.Just search when we had time between calls. What people didn't read in the paper was that the RVH patients had their own patient support / security that transported and looked for patients. Other than driving around on the paved roadways, they did not do any searching.
This was a very sad story, but honestly, when you have a transit system running through a mental facility, and patients have outdoor privileges, they're going to leave the site.

Great Blog BTW, and yes I testified at her inquest. 

--30--

Sadly the story that Shane wrote is all to familar to me. From what I have been told in the past when the hospital had its own dedicted patient and grounds security; a search would be made of the grounds by vehicle and on foot, they would start at one end and sweep throught the property, and frequently it would also include some of the patients; this meant that  a thorough search was made, by people who were familiar with the property. Sadly this protocol was thrown away when the security was privatized. 

Thanks Shane for telling us what you witnessed, and I hope that this event is not haunting you in any way.

More links about Patricia Reeds disappearance: ( sadly some of the links above have been removed )
Simple security measures may have been enough to save Patricia Reeds life

Demand for answers into Riverview patients death

Coroner to hold inquest into Riverview patients death

She died alone in a ditch: Sis
 It took authorities five days to find a mental patient who went missing last year on the grounds at Riverview Hospital, by which time she was dead.

November 2012

More holes than a sieve, the Forensic unit at Colony Farm, must have;

Have you seen this man? Colony farm escapee wanted by police

Coquitlam Mounties seek patient who left psychiatric hospital

The official RCMP site:  Missing Person from Colony Farm Forensic Hospital
[UPDATE: The patient returned by himself ]

From the Globe and Mail: Life in the shadow of a Psychiatric Hospital can breed fear that spans generations
The First Nations are concerned, probably rightly so.

Premier viewing of Consciousness

Consciousness  ( Part III )   a film by lisa g

Part III - Riverview Hospital Story Project

The story of Dr. Ralph Arrowsmith, a mid-century asylum psychiatrist with a life-long connection to British Columbia’s Riverview Hospital, a passion for the psychiatric movement and an unending commitment to his patients.
Featuring archival film and photography, this story spans forty years of mental health history.
Hosted by: Heidi Currie, Faculty of Criminology
In Attendance:
Director: lisa g
Riverview Hospital Historical Society: Anna Tremere
Former Psychiatrist and Unit Director at Riverview Hospital: Dr. Ralph Arrowsmith
Film run time 25 minutes. Q and A , refreshments to follow.

Premiere Screening.

Thursday, November 15, 2012  at 7 pm, in Room A1470 Lecture Theatre, David Lam Campus

Produced with the generous support of Douglas College & The Riverview Historical Society.

Lisa G. Neilsen ( her Vimeo page )  created two other videos about the site a few years ago.

Asylum.  ( Part I ) on Vimeo

Bedlam. ( Part II ) on Vimeo
Consciousness  (Part III) on Vimeo

October 2012

RIVERVIEW STORIES: Farm cultivated Riverview

Letters to editor: Sell Riverview? 'Beyond belief'

Riverview stakeholders wonder what's next

Comment on the,  Draft Heritage Conservation Plan

Not much time given to gather input, October 10.
"Go git em"

October 10 is World Mental Health Day
                            The World Federation for Mental Health


Riverview trust fund proposed;  If land is sold, group wants money to benefit vulnerable


What about the spiritual legacy of Riverview?

[ The theological needs were provided from day one; most of the larger buildings had an area set aside to be used as a chapel, and an area of reflection.]

Province not doing enough to help with mental health

September 2012

The hospital was missing two patients, one was returned, now missing another; "the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence"

A third patient goes missing from forensic hospital

A little history about the power plant:

Power lessons in old plant

[In 1924 the entire plant and all of the plumbing to the buildings cost $190,670 to build.

This plant replaced another that  was near West Lawn.]

>>>>  Riverview draft plan for Coquitlam lands nears  <<<<


RIVERVIEW STORIES: Farm cultivated Riverview

[A few errors in this story. The two buildings that still exist at Colony Farm, were built Before West Lawn.]

Riverview Heritage Plan, open-houses October 1st and 2nd. 

            Hospital heritage report released

                        Draft plan recommends maintenance plan for Riverview in Coquitlam.

Get comfortable and download the Riverview Values 2012 Questionnaire Results ( 1.8MB PDF )

Save our assets from the bureaucracy!

The forensic unit continues to have its issues:
   Counsellor allegedly stabbed with kitchen knife at Colony Farm psych unit

August 2012

RIVERVIEW STORIES: Mother and daughter sing for Riverview
    [ You see and hear a little of their antics, in a post on here from last June  Mention is made of John Davidson, AKA Botany John is this article, find out more about him Here.]
I missed posting on of the ongoing Riverview Stories; so here it is:
   RIVERVIEW STORIES: Exercising patients, a therapeutic philosophy
   RIVERVIEW STORIES: The place they went to visit

Letters to the Editor:  Save Riverview grounds

The ongoing sad saga of health care for many patients who many of which were former residents of Riverview Hospital. Where the profit is not enough, out on the street you go!

Former Riverview residents in limbo;  Fraser Health scrambling to house 71 seniors
A PDF of the letters sent to the family members a while ago now.

Coroner's inquest into death of woman at Riverview
Missing forensic patient returns  [Although he was captured by police, so he did not return willingly.]

July 2012

Riverview questionnaires due July 31

From the local newspapers:
   Letters to the editor;
       Don't pave paradise
         Expand Riverview
               Make Riverview a place of higher learning
                   Public input vital for Riverview's future
                        Preserve Riverview as public land
                              Tear down Riverview buildings, build a university

Ongoing articles in The Tri-City News;
RIVERVIEW STORIES: Public tree walks continue at Riverview
RIVERVIEW STORIES: An historical timeline
RIVERVIEW STORIES: A grand plan, a grand place
RIVERVIEW STORIES: A trip though mental health care history
RIVERVIEW STORIES: A daughter's questions, a mother's hopes
RIVERVIEW STORIES: Nursing through the decades
        Interviews with Anna Tremere and Fred Bennett, both long-time staff members.
RIVERVIEW STORIES: Finding a family's history
RIVERVIEW STORIES: In the garden {an article about Finnie's Garden}

Editorial opinions in The Tri-City News:
       GOLDS: Recognition for Riverview is long overdue
    NELSON: Save Riverview site and help the mentally ill
        RADIA: Build on the Riverview Hospital lands
A letter in reply to Nelson and Radia:  Face to Face jousting informs and entertains reader

From The Now: Will university move to Riverview?; Coquitlam Mayor Richard Stewart hopes UBC, in particular, will open campus on site.  [ed. note: At one time Mary Hill was seriously looked at as the site for UBC, but it was deemed as to far from the population.]

From The Sun: Riverview gone but the battle against mental illness continues
  No one should cheer Riverview's closure
*******  Alzheimer's facility faces closure  *******
  Public input vital for Riverview's future
                   Shutting Riverview ignores the plight of the mentally ill

Riverview lands are part of a priceless heritage,  Foundation of caring now a masterpiece of history

From The Province: 
Hospital site draws plenty of interest; Riverview psychiatric facility set to close, with no decision yet on use for 'beautiful' grounds
 Editorial: No one should cheer Riverview’s closure; with a POLL on the page too!
      Letters to the Editor: Seniors care, traffic, Riverview, cycling, smokers

A dark day in health care in B.C. Riverview officially closes on Friday the 13th

Historic Riverview Hospital closes its doors for good on Friday

Some images that some of you may not have seen before;  Archival photos of Riverview Hospital

And be sure to comment into the ongoing Heritage Conservation Process, HCP at Riverviewvalues
This process in one of the only ways that the public will get to state their views about the site.

                     They are taking comments until the 31st of July.

A media release from MLA, Mike Farnworth:
       Comprehensive plan needed as Riverview closes, Farnworth says.

And now for something completely different: Farmer creates heart-shaped meadow in memory of wife
A devoted farmer created this touching heart-shaped meadow as a tribute to his late wife - by planting thousands of oak trees.  Have a look in Google Maps

CKNW's Bill Good interviews Coquitlam Councillor Craig Hodge about Riverview Hospital.

June 2012

 Finally! some more fuel for the fire from the Heritage Canada Foundation,
 Riverview Hospital is added to their Top-Ten-Endangered list.
 Also an article about this designation in the Tri-City News: Riverview on national endangered list
And The Now:  Heritage site on risk list; National group says Riverview is endangered

The Tri-City News is printing over the next few issues a piece they call, Riverview Stories (See the Front page, and pages 16 and 17.)

News Hour - Riverview at risk; Mon, Jul 2 - It has a history some would rather forget, but right now it's considered one of the most endangered sites in the country what's next for Riverview?

I just found some short videos on YouTube about the hospital from user:  RVH101 (Ron) have a peek.!
RVH101 is with the Friends of Riverview Hospital,
check out their Facebook page, it contains  Photos too!

 The long good-bye for Riverview
Friday, June 22 was the official closing day, and the bureaucrats had a party beside the HEY building, they invited present and previous staff members to attend, but the invitation did not extend to the thousands of volunteers who have freely given their time throughout the years. Classic Fail!
The Riverview Horticultural Centre Society, and other interest groups crashed this party, and we were bluntly told to stay out of the way, a frenzied paranoid staff member then made some calls, and the private police force ( Paladin ) sent in more members to deal with this non-conflict. Yikes!! Anarchists!

 Not welcome at this event

 Relegated to the hill overlooking the event

The Raging Greenies on YouTube!

 The Raging Greenies, underneath the HEY building dedication plaque, which reads:

Dedicated to community education

 The Raging Greenies singing a song

The Raging Greenies with Coquitlam-Maillardville, MLA, Diane Thorne serenading on the right.
Article from OpenFile about the Raging Greenies

The main event tent, could not hear a word spoken though.
But from what I could hear, everything has gone very well in the transition of the residents to other institutions; that is the official word anyway; the reality is much different.

On the same day an ex-patients wife visited and earlier in the day had received in the mail, these two letters.
A PDF transcription of both letters can be found HERE

 This lady wanted her husband to stay as long as possible in Valleyview but he was transferred a few years ago to Delta View; she now has to travel a much greater distance to see him.
 This is not the only example of the system failing to provide proper care.

In the HEY building classrooms, photos from the graduating classes of nurses were displayed.
Have a look at them and a few from my collection on my Graduating Nurses, Flickr Page.

Riverview on national endangered list? 

 Metro wants a say on Riverview lands

Patients still missing from Forensic
    Hospital completes first of two reviews and may soon issue more unescorted day passes.

The HCP is still continuing they need some feedback, visit their website; Riverviewvalues
A representative from this process came to the closing ceremony hoping to gather some information but was told NO. Our tax dollars at work!

Riverview Lands Community Values Workshop, 4-8pm, on May 23, 2012 (update)
Video created for Tri-Citys Magazine, by Ebby Mohseni

Sue Haberger and Norma Gillespie interview starts at: 2_27

Elaine Golds interview starts at: 8_52

Margaret McDairmid, Minister of Citizen Services, interview starts at: 25_4

Letters to editor:
Riverview should be saved
Save Riverview Hospital lands
 Time to reopen Valleyview
(Valleyview is the large building that is very close to the Lougheed Highway, designed for geriatric patients; being dismantled for its equipment as I write this.!)

Vancouver Archives, has recently updated their database and now provides much larger photos; have a peek at some using the search term Essondale, and more using the term Boys Industrial, ( A few of these are of the boys just prior to them coming to Coquitlam )

Missing from Colony Farm

A patient of the forensic facility at Colony Farm has gone missing.
Coquitlam RCMP seek missing Colony Farm patient
Coquitlam RCMP website: David Fomradas missing from Colony Farm
and a possible partial explanation for his absence, was printed in today's Province
Mentally ill carjacker likely stressed out by victims’ lawsuit

And another patient, Gregory Owen Schleen goes missing:
 Second patient escapes from Colony Farm

UPDATE: Both are still missing as of June 23.
Patients still missing from Forensic
  Hospital completes first of two reviews and may soon issue more unescorted day passes

Heritage Conservation Planning process

 UPDATE: After widespread condemnation over the very short time being given to the HCP process, the facilitators have relented and added two more "Drop-in Workshops", so that the public can comment.
Province adds two meeting dates to Riverview Hospital planning process

Myself along with over 38 concerned citizens went to the Riverview Lands Advisory Committee meeting on May 15, 2012, usually held in a committee room, but the Chair decided to adjourn to the Council chambers because of the large turnout.

     Chairman is Craig Hodge  and Vice-chair is Neal Nicholson  both were present.

Craig Hodge and Neal Nicholson had a tour last Friday of Riverview through some of the buildings with MLA, Doug Horne  facilitating this tour, since that was only way that they could do it.

Even though Riverview is in MLA, Diane Thorne's riding!

Two councilors were also present Linda Reimer, and Selina Robinson, along with Mayor, Richard Stewart. 

The main theme of this meeting was the presentation, launch of the 

Heritage Conservation Planning, (HCP) process by two Government employees, and Denise Cook a private contractor who won the $95,000 bid to facilitate the process, who mentioned that she and three others have been doing interviews since February!. This HCP will aid in the early stages of the proposed redevelopment process. They have created a webpage Riverviewvalues which also provides meeting dates, where the public can provide input, and an online questionnaire.

Greg Hamilton Real Estate Services of Shared Services, is ongoing in negotiating with First Nations, and other user groups.

He mentioned that at the present time it costs five to six million dollars per year to maintain the property.  Greg Hamilton also mentioned the the steam plant is problematic, and it provides heat for many of the larger buildings at this time. If they decide to shut down this plant the buildings will rapidly deteriorate.

This HCP is to be finished by September, a very short time indeed!

Heritage branch are not advocates, just facilitators. To aid in this process the Heritage branch spokeswoman recommended to read a Federal Government publication: Standards and Guidelines 
You can download it HERE (10.4 Mb. PDF)
Even though this publication does not follow the exact process the present Provincial government is using!
And also to peruse  Conservation Planning Methodology (503Kb. PDF) created by the Heritage Branch
She stressed the driving force is the social values of the site, and not necessarily the buildings, landscaping as it was in the past when designating heritage sites.

In aid of this process the facilitators have created a webpage: Riverviewvalues 

 where a questionnaire is provided soliciting input from YOU.
And a online workshop (which is supposed to be active on May 19)

   E-mail Riverview Values    (And tell them how to improve the process !)

The NOW newspaper reporting: 
Anger over heritage plan.  Meetings about Riverview too rushed: critics.
The NOW also has a poll on their front page. What should be the future of the Riverview Hospital site?
And the Tri-City News:  Not much notice for public input on Riverview, committee says
And essentially the same article from The Now has been reprinted in The Province; Anger over rushed consultations on future of Coquitlam's Riverview Hospital lands  with more pictures, and at least a person can post a comment there.

Further information

Riverview property updates
                 Initiatives
                  Site access
Shared Services facility manager for Riverview:
   Dale Shields phone:604-927-4003 cell: 604-315-5643  E-mail Dale Shields

May 2012

Yikes! The time has come to get out to any meetings that pertain to the site, and voice your concerns, (in some of them anyway!)

NEEDED! Could you be available on Tuesday, May 15 at 2 pm to help us convey a message to the government about the Riverview Lands?

There is a meeting of the Coquitlam City Riverview Lands Advisory Committee at  (2 - 4 pm), in the Committee Room at Coquitlam City Hall.  Representatives from the Provincial Government will attend to discuss their plans for Riverview after the hospital closes in July of this year. 
Meetings are open to members the public to observe but not to speak; but a large body count speaks volumes!.

Also;
Riverview Lands Heritage Conservation Planning
 
Public Drop-in Workshops
May 22, 2012 4:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M.
The Outlet - Work Room, Port Coquitlam

May 23, 2012 4:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M.
Executive Plaza Hotel - Aspen Room, Coquitlam

Open House
June 11, 2012 4:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M.
Mabbett Room, Port Coquitlam Recreation Complex, Port Coquitlam

June 12, 2012 4:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M.
Centennial Room, Coquitlam Recreation Centre, Coquitlam

These are being hosted by:
big think communications inc. ( Warning ! Java )

April 2012

The very interesting historical collection  pertaining to the history of mental health care in B.C., is being kicked out of their present premises in the Industrial Services building at Riverview.
Such a short-sighted government we have!
Future still uncertain for Riverview Hospital collection
A fair amount of furniture, equipment, and an amazing photograph collection, along with the hospital annual reports from the first one, are part of this collection.

 "Krusty Clarke" announces; $48-million for new VHG mental-health facility announced.
Meanwhile the new users of this facility will have to wait at least three plus years for its completion.
Note that the bulk of the funding was a donation; is this the future of mental health care in B.C.?

Finally ! Some good news;  Coquitlam and Riverview Hospital Historical Society Preserve Collection of Historical Artifacts
The Tri-City news elaborating a bit more about the safe-keeping of the collection:
 UPDATED: Riverview heritage collection on the move

March 2012

It has been awfully quiet  at Riverview lately, the quiet before the storm?
From the Tri-Cities News: Riverview closing continues with site testing
Makes one wonder what the exact motives are behind this site testing, since in the Legislature they inferred that they were going to sell assets to make themselves look good.

Extensive site testing for potential environmental pollution issues was done a few years ago.
Makes me wonder if they are really soil testing  to quantify the potential to build on the site, before we give it away to a developer for a song.

 From the Mental Health Commission of Canada
A study of consumer experiences with and attitudes toward the police in British Columbia has been completed:    A Study of How People with Mental Illness Perceive and Interact with the Police. (PDF)

The study of consumer experiences was led by British Columbia Mental Health and Addictions Services and partners included Simon Fraser University, the University of British Columbia and the Canadian Mental Health Association - British Columbia.


 An artist named  Anna Schuleit was commissioned to create an art installation at the Massachusetts mental health center, which was being closed.  More images here.
What will happen when Riverview closes?  a For SALE sign installation?

Province orders heritage conservation plan for Riverview
Will be interesting to see what comes out of this exercise.

Coquitlam Heritage Society members concerned about closure of Riverview exhibit
The Riverview Museum is now looking for a new home. It is an excellent collection of materials about hospital care in British Columbia, not just the hospital.

January 2012

Shenanigans at the Forensic Institute:
A Coquitlam link to Alberta crime spree?

Martin Chambers & Clayton Duquette, these two characters decided to go and visit Alberta.
Additional information

The program using the Brookside and Leeside buildings is being shut down. Downtown Eastside, next stop?
Riverview pilot for homeless will shut down

Another of the numerous examples of a broken system:

        B.C. hospital unable to release homeless woman
                   No specialized care facility available, health authority says.
same case reported in the Globe and Mail;
Patient waits in limbo as 500th day in hospital nears.

In the past these patients would have been taken care of at Riverview hospital.