Peace Arch Hospital expansion moves forward

WHITE ROCK – The Government of British Columbia has approved the business plan and is moving forward with an expanded emergency department and surgical suite at Peace Arch Hospital.

"As a lifelong resident I have seen members of our community, the hospital auxiliary, the foundation, the health authority and ministry continue to work together to meet the needs in our community," said Gordon Hogg, MLA for Surrey-White Rock. "This newest collaboration will improve care for the critically ill and injured patients and create a better working environment for the health professionals who care for them."

In 2015, government announced plans to expand the emergency department at Peace Arch Hospital. This project was paused while the business plan was expanded to include the addition of the surgical suite and medical device reprocessing department redevelopments

The Province has approved the expanded business plan, which adds a surgical suite above the redeveloped emergency area, boosting the number of surgeries that will be able to be performed at the hospital.

"This redevelopment is something that the community has been supportive of and it is great news that we are now moving forward," said Stephanie Cadieux, MLA for Surrey-Cloverdale. "White Rock and South Surrey residents will now receive better care for years to come, thanks to these additions."

The surgical suite will benefit from the relocation and expansion of the medical device reprocessing department, allowing for improved access to sterilized surgical equipment used during surgeries.

"During the planning phase of the emergency department expansion, we realized there were also opportunities to improve our surgical care delivery while providing efficiencies for staff," said Rhonda Veldhoen, executive director, White Rock, South Surrey, Delta Health Services and Peace Arch and Delta Hospitals. "This expansion and the additional two operating rooms will enable us to deliver better care to our patients, and we are pleased to partner with the foundation to see this come to fruition."

The expanded emergency department will double the number of treatment spaces to 50 from 24. It will include a separate pediatric treatment area, as well as a dedicated mental-health and substance-use space.

This $68.2-million project is funded by $8.2 million from the Ministry of Health, $23 million from Fraser Health, and community funding through the Peace Arch Hospital Foundation's contribution of $37 million.

"The foundation is thrilled that the Ministry of Health has approved the building of five state-of- the-art operating rooms above our brand new ER," said Siobhan Philips, chair, Board of Directors, Peace Arch Hospital Foundation. "This will greatly enhance the surgical services that Peace Arch Hospital can provide patients in our community."

The Peace Arch Hospital Foundation, through generous community support, has successfully raised $15 million for the emergency department expansion approved in 2015, while plans are underway to fund $22 million for the surgical suite.

Procurement for the detailed design of the first phase of the project will now begin.

The B.C. government is making record investments in modern, safe infrastructure projects throughout the province. In doing so, these construction projects are creating well-paying, family-supporting jobs. These investments are possible because of the fiscal plan of the B.C. government.