Surrey Memorial Hospital opened their new emergency department today, the first phase of a massive redevelopment project.
It’s the first phase of a new eight story critical care tower, with the rest of the building scheduled to open in the summer of 2014.
The redevelopment is part of a $512 million redevelopment of the hospital, with the aim of becoming a world-class medical facility for the entire Fraser Valley.
As of today, access to the old ER on 96th Avenue is closed. There are two new entrances to the new Guru Nanak Emergency Services entrance; one off King George Blvd. and the other off 94A Ave.
The new ER is 57,000 square feet, five times bigger than the old emergency department. It features brand-new technology and equipment, and several new services.
One of the new services is an “adult mental health and substance use” zone, which is separate from the emergency department. The area offers a low-stimulus, therapeutic place for patients. There are several private consultation rooms, treatment rooms, quiet rooms and a dedicated nursing station.
“As we were planning the new emergency department, careful consideration went into creating a safe, therapeutic environment for our patients and their families,” says Meryl McDowell, Director of Mental Health and Substance Use at Fraser Health.
Advocates for mental health say the new zone answers a long-standing call for appropriate care for people with mental illness.
“We are hopeful that this new zone will provide a quicker response and allow for people to get assessed and treated in a timely way,” says Bev Gutray, CEO of the Canadian Mental Health Association, B.C. Division.
“This initiative will also reduce some of the significant challenges that many people living with mental illness experience when they try to access care at the emergency department and should become a critical resource for police who are conveying people for psychiatric assessment and treatment.”
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