"The impressive new emergency department at Surrey Memorial Hospital is more than just bricks and mortar, it represents our government's commitment to investing in the future, and ensuring vital services grow along with the community," said Premier Clark.

The new facility is organized into specific zones to provide efficient, patient-centred care. This includes separate areas for walk-in and triage, patients in critical condition, less-critical patients and a mental health and substance use zone.

"The new emergency department is an investment in the future of the community and one that will support families across the Fraser Health region," said Lake. "Our government is proud to be contributing to improving health care across British Columbia and building infrastructure in the communities we serve."

The centre also includes a separate pediatric emergency department for children, one of only two in B.C. The pediatric emergency has its own entrance, private treatment rooms, a family area and a special area for pediatric mental-health patients along with a care team that will be on site 24/7.

"Today is a milestone for not only the residents of Surrey, but for all people who live in the Fraser Health region who now have this state-of-the-art emergency department in their community," said Dr. Nigel Murray, president and CEO of Fraser Health. "Every person who uses this facility will be impressed by not only the space our staff now has to provide care, but also the organization of the space which will facilitate efficient, patient-centred care."

The new emergency department will be able to hold six ambulances in a secure garage, have over 100 single patient rooms and be able to provide approximately 70,000 medical imaging procedures a year.

"I work alongside many dedicated and talented emergency staff who are proud to be a part of the Surrey Memorial Hospital team," said Dr. Craig Murray, emergency physician at Surrey Memorial Hospital. "We are excited to now have a space where clinical best practices have been integrated in the design and where state-of-the-art technology is used to ensure the patient experience is a positive one."

The new emergency department is located on the first floor of the eight-floor Critical Care Tower. The remaining floors of the tower are expected to open in June 2014.

"Surrey Memorial Hospital emergency department was originally built in 1991 to serve 44,000 patient visits a year," said Lakh Bagri, interim executive director of Surrey Memorial Hospital. "Today Surrey Memorial Hospital has the busiest emergency department in British Columbia with almost 100,000 patient visits per year, more than double its intended capacity"

The new emergency department marks a significant milestone in the redevelopment of Surrey Memorial Hospital, which is being developed into a world-class medical community that serves the entire Fraser Health Region.

"A big thank you to everyone who made this day possible," said Jane Adams, CEO, Surrey Memorial Hospital Foundation. "Surrey and the region now have an Emergency Department designed to meet the needs of our growing population. Our donors also showed their outstanding generosity and support, helping Fraser Health purchase 20 per cent of the equipment needed for both the adult and pediatric areas."

"Child Health BC (CHBC) an initiative of BC Children's Hospital, is proud to have played a key role in the creation and ongoing development of the Surrey Memorial Hospital Pediatric Emergency Department, and in bringing this state-of-the-art facility to Surrey and the surrounding communities," added Dr. Maureen O'Donnell, executive director, Child Health BC. "A tremendous amount of work has lead up to the opening, congratulations to everyone involved. CHBC is looking forward to continuing our collaboration with Fraser Health toward our shared goal - an integrated, accessible system that helps to provide the highest quality of care for the children and youth of Surrey, the Fraser region and all of B.C."

The government of British Columbia has committed $492 million to the project, with an intended contribution of $20 million from the Surrey Memorial Hospital Foundation and Child Health BC.

(flickr.com)

Contact:

Sam Oliphant
Press Secretary
Office of the Premier
250 952-7252

Ryan Jabs
Media Relations Manager
Ministry of Health
250 952-1887 (media line)

Fraser Health Media Pager:
604-450-7881
media@fraserhealth.ca