Surrey Memorial Hospital to enhances emergency care with new rapid assessment team
Published 2:00 pm Friday, September 18, 2026
Surrey Memorial Hospital will soon have a dedicated team at the front of the emergency department, who will “rapidly assess patients as they arrive” and direct them to the appropriate places, such as the ER or the soon-to-be-created satellite emergency centre.
Minister of Health Ravi Kahlon announced Friday (Sept. 18) at Surrey Memorial Hospital that it was investing more than $33 million in the hospital and community services for Surrey.
“Surrey is one of B.C.’s faster-growing communities, and we need to ensure that our health-care system keeps up,” said Kahlon. “These investments will help people get through the emergency room faster, get their imaging and diagnosis more rapidly and help move people into more appropriate care.”
The team is expected to be operational by January 2027 and will consist of an ER-trained registered nurse, a porter, and clerical support.
The emergency satellite centre will be “an extension of the emergency department” and serve patients with “less urgent needs,” such as sprains, minor pain, and cuts that require stitches. Construction will begin within six months.
Patients may also be directed to urgent care centres, pharmacies, or virtual care.
In addition, Kahlon announced that the hospital will get a new CT scanner and replace one that is over 12 years old. It will take up to 10 months to replace it and 18 months to install a second scanner.
Minister of Infrastructure Bowinn Ma said, “People in Surrey deserve health-care facilities and services that keep pace with the needs of their growing community. We’re investing in modern medical imaging, additional capacity and flexible health-care spaces to help ensure people can get the care they need, when they need it.”
Surrey Hospitals Foundation is raising funds for the equipment and the new satellite emergency centre.
In partnership with Fraser Health, the provincial government will focus over the next nine months on increasing access to day programs for adults and overnight respite services.
“Adult day programs offer structured social, recreational, and health-related activities in a safe and supportive setting. Overnight respite services provide seniors with short-term, supervised care, while giving family and other unpaid caregivers a temporary break,” reads a Ministry of Health news release Friday (Sept. 18).
Dermot Kelly, president and CEO of Fraser Health, said, “Today’s investments are about making it easier for people in Surrey to get the care they need, when and where they need it. By bringing together faster assessment, better access to diagnostic services and stronger community supports, we are improving how people experience care and helping them return home safely sooner. I want to thank our staff, medical staff, leaders and the Surrey Hospitals Foundation for their partnership and commitment to strengthening health care for people and families across Surrey.”