Better emergency care for people in the Tri-Cities area is here as construction is complete on the expanded emergency department at Eagle Ridge Hospital.

The hospital serves Port Moody, Port Coquitlam, Coquitlam, Anmore and Belcarra.

Phase 1 of the $37.5-million emergency department expansion project is completed and opened on Sept. 21, 2021.

“When Eagle Ridge Hospital opened in 1984, the hospital’s emergency department had about 20,000 patients seeking emergency care every year. That number has more than doubled to 50,000 patients per year,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health. “As the Tri-Cities continue to grow, a larger emergency department is needed to keep pace with the increasing demand for emergency services in the region. Our government recognized this and moved quickly so people can get the care they need when they need it.”

Phase 1 of the Eagle Ridge Hospital emergency department expansion includes new separate entrances for walk-in patients and ambulances, a redesigned registration and triage area to improve privacy and flow of patients, and a designated separate area for patients with mental-health and substance-use support needs.

“I’m proud of our government for investing in the expansion of the emergency department at Eagle Ridge Hospital,” said Rick Glumac, MLA for Port Moody-Coquitlam. “People in the Tri-Cities depend on receiving quality care when they visit the hospital for emergency services. It’s great to hear that it’s ready to receive patients and provide them with first-class care.”

The project includes work from Phase 2 that began in August 2021. Further Phase 2 renovations for future rehabilitation space are expected to begin in October 2021 with completion in March 2022.

Once finished, the expanded emergency department will have 39 new treatment spaces, up from 19. It will include four new isolation rooms for people with infectious illnesses and two new trauma resuscitation bays. Walk-in patients and ambulances will have separate entrances, a decontamination area will help with chemical contamination and additional handwashing stations will help reduce the risk of infection.

The new space is approximately three times larger, increasing from 714 square metres (7,685 square feet) to 2,206 square metres (23,745 square feet). It will provide quality emergency care in spaces better designed to meet the growing needs of patients in the Tri-Cities.

“While Eagle Ridge Hospital provides the highest level of care for people, it was facing immense pressure to keep up with the increasing demand for emergency care due to a rapidly growing population,” said Mike Farnworth, MLA for Port Coquitlam. “Our government showed leadership by expanding the emergency department now to ensure that people in the Tri-Cities will continue to get the best care in the future.”

To expand the emergency department, health records were moved to the basement of the hospital, and diagnostic cardiology services have expanded into some of the existing health records area. Community outpatient services have been relocated to another part of the hospital, and rehabilitation services have moved to the existing community outpatient services area.

“Eagle Ridge Hospital serves many people in this region and as a result, the emergency department was experiencing congestion and overcrowding,” said Selina Robinson, MLA for Coquitlam-Maillardville. “It’s fantastic that the hospitalis opening the doors of its new, expanded emergency department so the physicians and health-care workers will be able to deliver more efficient and enhanced care to people in the Tri-Cities.”

The provincial government, through Fraser Health, is providing $32.5 million for the project. Eagle Ridge Hospital Foundation raised $5 million.

“Our community has needed an expanded emergency department for a number of years now,” said Fin Donnelly, MLA for Coquitlam-Burke Mountain. “I want to thank everyone who has helped get us to this point. Because of their hard work, we are opening an expanded facility, which will help save lives in the Tri-Cities.” 

Quotes:

Dr. Victoria Lee, president and CEO, Fraser Health –

“The needs of our patients and our clinical teams guided this project from design to development. More treatment spaces, improved drop-off and pickup areas, and dedicated space for families will help us improve the experience for our patients and families in the Tri-Cities and surrounding communities. I am grateful to the project team, our staff and medical staff, and the patients who have been engaged throughout this process and can now celebrate this important milestone together.”

Tom Morton, chair, Eagle Ridge Hospital Foundation –

“The expanded emergency department is a testament to the amazing residents, businesses and organizations who donated the funds to make it happen. We are grateful to the foundation’s donors, community partners, sponsors and volunteers.”

Learn More:

For a photo of the new emergency department: https://flic.kr/p/2msvV4e