People in Surrey are a step closer to a new hospital and BC Cancer Centre with the issuing of the request for proposals (RFP) for the facility at 5500 180 St.
“Our government is delivering on its commitment of a new hospital for people in Surrey, and we are proceeding to the next stage of the procurement process,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health. “This important next step means we are closer to seeing what the hospital will look like, to shovels in the ground and construction starting, and to the new hospital opening for patients.”
Our government is delivering on its commitment of a new hospital and @BCCancer Centre for people in #SurreyBC. @Fraserhealth @PHSAofBC @MikeStarchuk @JagrupBrar1 @RachnaSinghNDP @HarryBainsSN @GarryBeggBC @BruceRalston @KahlonRav https://t.co/fZoTWRVNTi pic.twitter.com/aH1xqYhX78
— Adrian Dix (@adriandix) July 4, 2022
Two proponents are on the short list to lead the project design and construction as a result of the request for qualifications process, which ended on March 17, 2022. The proponents are EllisDon Design Build Inc. and PCL Construction Ltd.
The RFP process normally takes about a year to finalize. Construction is expected to start in summer 2023 with the facility scheduled to be ready for patients in 2027.
The project is proceeding with a design-build procurement process in which the preferred proponent enters into a fixed-price, fixed-schedule contract with Fraser Health to design and build the facility to meet standards and performance requirements specified by Fraser Health.
“Today marks an important step forward in our planning for a new, state-of-the-art hospital and BC Cancer Centre that will provide care for hundreds of thousands of people living and working in the fastest-growing community in B.C.,” said Dr. Victoria Lee, president and CEO, Fraser Health. “As a fully digitally equipped community hospital, this facility will usher in a new era for acute care in our region, enabling us to increase our regional capacity in areas such as emergency, surgical, inpatient, ambulatory care, diagnostics and cancer care services, while better supporting patient-centred care, closer to home.”
The new hospital will have 168 beds, a surgical/perioperative suite with five operating rooms, four procedure rooms, an emergency department with 55 treatment spaces, and virtual care options in all clinical service areas.
The facility will have a large medical imaging department, including three CT scanners and two MRI machines, as well as pharmacy, laboratory and academic spaces.
There will be a dedicated area for spiritual care and family gatherings that support cultural diversity and spiritual practices.
The new BC Cancer Centre will include an oncology ambulatory care unit with 50 exam rooms, 54 chemotherapy treatment spaces and room for six linear accelerators for radiation therapy to provide care and support for people diagnosed with cancer.
“We are pleased to reach this next milestone in the construction of a new Surrey hospital and BC Cancer Centre and look forward to continuing to work in partnership with Fraser Health to improve access to and capacity for cancer care across this rapidly growing and aging region,” said David Byres, president and chief executive officer, Provincial Health Services Authority. “This work will bring life-saving and life-enhancing cancer treatment closer to home for patients and families for years to come.”
The project also includes a 49-space child care centre and 730 parking spots and will pursue opportunities for innovation and automation to address future needs.
The capital cost is estimated at $1.72 billion and is funded by the provincial government and it will not include a maternity ward. Minister Dix says that there would be one if there is a need in the future.
Fraser Health and the Provincial Health Services Authority are working with the Surrey Hospitals Foundation and BC Cancer Foundation to explore potential funding opportunities.
