Premier David Eby Announces Plans for New Critical Care Tower at Surrey Memorial Hospital, Expanding Surgical and Specialty Services. Pictured: Surrey Memorial Hospital, Surrey, B.C., Sept. 9, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns
Premier David Eby has announced plans for a new critical care tower at Surrey Memorial Hospital in Surrey, B.C., aimed at alleviating strain on the overwhelmed emergency department and enhancing capacity for specialized medical services.
Addressing concerns about disparities in healthcare funding across Surrey, Eby emphasized the need to rectify the situation during a press conference at Surrey Memorial Hospital. He highlighted the forthcoming critical care tower as a significant step towards addressing the healthcare needs of Surrey residents, with expanded facilities catering to surgical, pediatric, perinatal, women's health, mental health, and stroke care.
The province is set to engage healthcare professionals working at the hospital to gather input on the project's development. Health Minister Adrian Dix noted that specific details, including the estimated cost and the number of new beds, will be outlined once the business plan for the tower is finalized over the next 15 to 18 months. Dix indicated that similar towers elsewhere have accommodated up to 200 beds, with costs typically around $1.3 billion.
This announcement follows the B.C. government's commitment last June to enhance healthcare accessibility in Surrey, which included a comprehensive review of needs at Surrey Memorial. Additionally, construction is underway for a second hospital featuring a cancer care center in Surrey, while plans for a new medical school in collaboration with Simon Fraser University are also in progress, further bolstering healthcare infrastructure in the city.
