Next step for Langley Memorial Hospital emergency department expansion

LANGLEY - Health care in the Langley region is getting a boost with the Province approving the business plan for the expansion of Langley Memorial Hospital's emergency department.

"Langley is a thriving, and rapidly growing community and the expansion of the emergency department will benefit patients and families, as well as the hundreds of health-care professionals working at this facility," said Langley MLA Mary Polak, who made the announcement today on behalf of Health Minister Terry Lake.

The expansion will increase the number of treatment spaces in the emergency department to 49 from 31, and will also have a separate pediatric waiting area for children. There will be separate entries for walk-in patients and ambulance arrivals to increase privacy, and the number of trauma bays will increase from one to two.

To minimize the risk of infection, additional hand washing stations, utility rooms, a decontamination area, and an isolation room will be added.

Mental health and substance use patients will also benefit from a secure, separate treatment area so their needs can be addressed privately and in a way that best supports the care they require.

"It's great to see the next step has been taken for an expanded emergency department at Langley Memorial Hospital," said Fort Langley-Aldergrove MLA Rich Coleman. "The entire emergency department will have additional space for families and caregivers to be present with their loved ones, while ensuring an improved working environment for staff and physicians."

"Last year, we saw more than 46,000 visits to Langley Memorial Hospital's emergency department, and we know that this number will continue to grow as the population grows," said Jason Cook, executive director, Langley Health Services and Langley Memorial Hospital. "The expansion of the emergency department allows for better patient-centred care in a redeveloped facility."

"We commend Fraser Health and the Government of B.C. for their commitment to making the emergency department redevelopment a reality. It is the citizens in Langley who will benefit from this important project; it will improve patient care and health services in our growing community," said Vivian Smith, executive director, Langley Memorial Hospital Foundation.

Fraser Health is contributing $20.06 million towards this project, with the Langley Memorial Hospital Foundation contributing $10 million.

Procurement for the detailed design and construction of the project will begin in the coming months. It is expected this project will generate approximately 113 direct jobs and 69 jobs in supplier industries for a total of 182 jobs during construction.

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.