People in Surrey are a step closer to having increased access to inpatient renal care now that a business plan has been approved for a new renal hemodialysis unit at Surrey Memorial Hospital.
“More treatment stations mean less waiting time and more opportunities for care for patients facing the hardship of kidney disease,” said Premier David Eby. “This new facility addresses a critical health-care need, and ensures that people in Surrey can get comprehensive, compassionate care in the community that will enhance their quality of life.”
Planning and site preparation is underway with construction set to begin in August 2024.
“We’re investing in life-saving renal services in Surrey because the population is growing rapidly and, currently, people sometimes need to travel to other communities for their dialysis,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health. “The approval of the business plan for a hemodialysis renal centre at the Surrey Memorial Hospital demonstrates our continued commitment to improving health services for patients in Surrey and south of the Fraser.”
Located on the northwestern corner of Surrey Memorial Hospital’s campus, the new stand-alone unit is expected to open in 2025. The unit will feature state-of-the-art equipment and will expand the hospital’s capacity to treat patients with kidney disease by adding 21 new renal hemodialysis stations, bringing the total at Surrey Memorial Hospital to 60. The unit will operate seven days a week and will complement existing in-hospital renal units.
“This new facility will bring increased access to essential, life-sustaining care, which will make a big difference to hemodialysis patients whose daily activities are so dependent upon the availability of appointments,” said Jacqueline Sim, a hemodialysis patient, Fraser Health. “The renal staff and medical staff in Surrey have provided me with fantastic care and I’m grateful their services will be expanded to support more hemodialysis patients in this community.”
In addition to supporting patients in the Surrey community, the inpatient renal hemodialysis unit at Surrey Memorial Hospital functions as one of three regional hubs that supports patients in communities across the region. These hubs are part of Fraser Health’s regional renal strategy to provide a better experience for renal patients and their families.
The estimated capital cost of this project is $85 million, with $84 million funded by the Province, and $1 million by the Surrey Hospitals Foundation.
This announcement builds on the 30 actions announced in June 2023 to improve health services for patients, while better supporting health-care workers at the Surrey Memorial Hospital. In March 2024, the Province announced the start of decanting for two new cardiac catheterization suites and a second interventional radiology suite that will be located on the third floor in the Critical Care Tower at Surrey Memorial Hospital.
Learn More:
To learn more about the new cardiac catheterization suites and interventional radiology suites at Surrey Memorial Hospital, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2024HLTH0028-000304
To learn about the June 2023 announcement regarding actions to improve health-care services in Surrey, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2023HLTH0081-000894
To learn about the progress on the short-, medium- and long-term efforts underway to support patients and health-care workers in Surrey, visit: https://www.fraserhealth.ca/your-community/surrey/transforming-health-care-in-surrey
A backgrounder follows.