| March 5, 2010 Dainard Demolition Kicks Off Surrey Memorial Expansion SURREY - Health Services Minister Kevin Falcon began the construction process for the new emergency department and critical care tower at Surrey Memorial Hospital (SMH) today, with the demolition of the vacant Dainard Pavilion. "It is exciting to see real progress on the Surrey Memorial Hospital expansion project," said Health Services Minister Kevin Falcon. "Residents of Surrey and the Fraser Valley will soon have access to a state-of-the art medical facility that will help ease congestion and improve patient access to health care now and in the future." The demolition marked the first major step in preparing the site for construction, expected to begin in early 2011. The SMH expansion includes a new critical care tower, complete with an expanded emergency department, a new perinatal centre for excellence in care for high-risk newborns and expanded adult intensive care unit. Once complete, 151 new patient beds will be added to reduce congestion and improve patient service. "The community of Surrey has grown exponentially since Surrey Memorial Hospital was first built, and its emergency department is one of the busiest in the province - this redevelopment will allow us to accommodate that growth," said Surrey-Tynehead MLA Dave S. Hayer. "Not only will the critical-care tower project expand the emergency department and provide additional patient beds at Surrey Memorial Hospital, but it will help plan for the future of health care in our province, by providing academic training space for future physicians," said Surrey-Panorama MLA Stephanie Cadieux. This milestone follows the Request for Proposals (RFP) issued in February. Once submissions to the RFP are received and evaluated, a preferred proponent will be selected and offered the opportunity to negotiate a performance-based agreement to design, build, finance and provide facilities management services for the emergency department and critical-care tower. The preferred proponent is expected to be selected in fall 2010. "Once complete, Surrey Memorial Hospital will be a new, regional centre for the specialized care needed for the most premature and sick newborns, as well as high-risk births," said Dr. Nigel Murray, president and CEO of Fraser Health. "Our goal is to develop the 20-acre Surrey Memorial Hospital site into a world-class health campus that serves the entire Fraser Health region." The SMH expansion represents the largest capital investment in the history of health care in British Columbia. The total project capital cost is estimated in the range of $500 million to $600 million. British Columbia's health system will benefit from investments, such as the SMH redevelopment project, over the next three years as part of the $2.6-billion health sector capital plan. Construction on the new tower is expected to create approximately 3,760 jobs. -30- | |
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