November 15, 2007
Surrey Memorial Hospital Foundation > News & Events > Media Room > November 15, 2007

ER entrance named in honour of South Asian community

Surrey, B.C. – The entrance to a new state-of-the-art emergency and urgent care facility at Surrey Memorial Hospital will be named in honour of the founder of Sikhism.

Premier Gordon Campbell joined representatives from Fraser Health and Surrey Memorial Hospital Foundation to unveil plans for the Guru Nanak Emergency Services Front Entrance, which will be the main entryway to the new emergency centre.

“The naming of the entrance to the Surrey Memorial Hospital’s new emergency centre after Guru Nanak Dev Ji is a fitting and lasting tribute to the dedication of the South Asian community to health care in this region,” said Campbell. “Thanks to the support and generosity of the Surrey Memorial Hospital Foundation, the people of Surrey are closer to having an emergency centre that meets the needs of this growing community.”

“This idea grew from conversations between the foundation and members of the community,” noted foundation President/CEO Jane Adams. “We want to recognize and thank the South Asian community for its many contributions to the foundation and the hospital.”

In support of Surrey Memorial Hospital Foundation’s $15-million emergency centre campaign, radio station Red 93.1 FM has announced plans for an all-day radiothon to take place Nov. 23 from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

“Our audience is very generous and will support this important cause,” said radio station owner Kulwinder Sanghera. “Our goal is to raise $2 million through a series of fundraising events, including this radiothon.”

Surrey Memorial Hospital’s current ER – the busiest in B.C. – sees close to 70,000 patients a year.

The new emergency centre, at triple the size of the current facility, will include a separate children’s ER, as well as a separate mental health and addictions area, an enhanced minor treatment unit, and an improved area for acute patients.

“As Fraser Health grows at a rate twice that of the rest of the province, it is a real challenge to meet the health needs of those who are depending on us,” said Gordon Barefoot, Fraser Health board chair. “That makes the collaboration of our foundations and the generous support of their donors all the more important to us, and to our patients, residents and clients.”

The government of British Columbia has committed to building a new emergency and urgent care facility at Surrey Memorial Hospital. The foundation’s $15-million campaign will ensure the new emergency centre is state-of-the-art.

The new emergency and urgent care facility is part of the Surrey Health Services Capacity Initiative to address Surrey’s future health needs and ease congestion at Surrey Memorial Hospital. The initiative also includes plans for a new perinatal care facility above the new emergency facility and new construction to create more renal stations and additional acute care beds.

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For more information or interviews, contact:
Jason Howe
Public Affairs Director
Surrey Memorial Hospital Foundation
604-585-5666 ext 8284
cell: 604-613-6873
jason.howe[at]fraserhealth.ca