B.C.'s Minister of Health Adrian Dix and Premier David Eby were in Surrey Tuesday (June 18) to provide an update on the new renal hemodialysis unit at Surrey Memorial Hospital.
At a press conference in March, Dix said that progress was being made on the pre-construction of the new renal unit. Eby announced at a press conference at Surrey Memorial Hospital on Tuesday (June 18) that the business plan has been approved for the new renal unit, and construction is set to begin in August 2024.
The new standalone renal hemodialysis facility will be located on the northwestern corner of the Surrey Memorial Hospital campus.
"This means an additional 21 dialysis stations are going to be added to Surrey Memorial Hospital, bringing the total to 60," Eby said. "In a standalone facility able to provide support for people who need that kind of care to ensure a healthy life for themselves right here in Surrey."
"It is good news for people facing the hardship of kidney disease who need support regularly.
"It means less waiting time, it means more opportunities for treatment, and this builds on the work we've already been doing to support Surrey Memorial Hospital while we build an additional currently needed capital investment for that new hospital and the patient tower here."
Jacqueline Sim, a hemodialysis patient at the Panorama Community Dialysis Unit, said there is a huge need for renal care. Sim said the clinic in Panorama is full every day, from open to closed, with dialysis patients. The new renal clinic at Surrey Memorial Hospital will be a "huge help," she said.
"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," Sim said.
"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."
Dr. Victoria Lee, the president and CEO of Fraser Health, said while not all chronic kidney disease requires dialysis, about 1,000 people in the region do.
"One of the things that's really striking about chronic kidney disease in the Fraser South region is that in the last two decades, it's grown by 300 per cent, in terms of new diseases, and it's because of the vulnerability and some of the population that we see in Surrey and the growth in Surrey."
The announcement builds on the “30 promised health-care actions” Dix announced in June 2023. Dix said further updates on the actions will be announced in the coming weeks.
"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," Dix said. "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."
Dr. Bradford Strijack, head of the division of nephrology at Surrey Memorial Hospital, said that the new renal facility will have a huge impact on patients with chronic kidney disease.
"We know comfort is key for our patients, given that hemodialysis can require three or more half-day sessions per week. With this new dedicated space, we can ensure patients have a better experience during their visits, closer to their homes and families," Strijack said.
Nicole Robson, president and CEO of Surrey Hospitals Foundation, was pleased to hear about the continued progress of the unit. She called it a "a vital step in meeting the increasing demand for specialized care in Surrey and south-of-the-Fraser region."
The estimated capital cost of the unit is $85 million, with $1 million provided by the Surrey Hospitals Foundation and $84 million provided by the province.
Eby also used the time to talk about ways the previous government had “failed” to provide adequate health care, housing and education.