The Surrey Hospitals Foundation (SHF) today released a summary report from the Health Summit held at Surrey City Hall on May 30. The report includes a set of recommendations that were developed through consensus by the more than 60 Summit participants.
“We want to acknowledge Health Minister Adrian Dix for announcing a week after our Summit a suite of new programs and services to try to address the health care crisis in Surrey,” said SHF Board Chair Harp Dhillon. “While the government plan will help, we believe the recommendations developed collaboratively with community and health care leaders on May 30 provide an even more robust framework for long-term, sustainable solutions.”
The first, most important recommendation in the report is for the Ministry of Health to strike a multi-disciplined, locally-led Task Force to: study the current state of the health care ecosystem in Surrey and south of the Fraser; develop an evidence-informed, needs-based, long-term strategic plan to address gaps and shortages in health care in the region; and provide recommendations and budget for a detailed implementation plan.
“It will be important that this task force involve appropriate representation from the community,” said Jane Adams, President and CEO of the SHF. “We’re hopeful that with the right voices at the table, we can find solutions.”
From a list of 19 priorities identified at the Summit, participants also agreed on four additional, comprehensive recommendations for short- to long-term action from government and Fraser Health.
- Match urgent needs with urgent solutions (e.g. address the hospitalist shortage immediately).
- Fund an inclusive, comprehensive, acute and community health services plan for Surrey. Use results of the plan to inform future healthcare investments in Surrey.
- Build the second tower with more facilities at Surrey Memorial Hospital (already provided for in earlier capital planning processes).
- Improve training, education, research, recruitment, and retention for doctors, nurses, and allied health personnel.
“These recommendations are the result of consensus-based, solutions-focused work by a group of individuals committed to better patient care,” said Dr. Randeep Gill, an Emergency Physician, Foundation board member and Chair of the Foundation’s Medical Advisory Committee. “We are speaking with one voice, we support these recommendations and will continue to push for their implementation on behalf of the people and communities south of the Fraser.”
The Surrey Hospitals Foundation convened the Health Summit, with the support of the City of Surrey and participation from health care leaders, including Fraser Health, UBC and SFU, clinical staff representing a cross-section of medical specialties, first responders, and local community leaders.
The goals of the Summit were to clearly articulate the current gaps in health services south of the Fraser, and to propose solutions for the key priorities that can lead to immediate, mid- and long-term actions.
You can read the full Surrey Health Summit Report here.
