Plans are in the works for the expansion of Eagle Ridge Hospital.
Fraser Health announced Thursday afternoon that the health authority and Eagle Ridge Hospital Foundation have started a master concept planning process for the Port Moody facility to develop a vision for the expansion, improvement and delivery of health services at ERH and throughout the Tri-Cities.
"We're looking to 2030. We know we have a growing, aging population," said Valerie Spurrell, executive director of ERH.
"Our purpose is looking at what we have, what we should have and how that should guide us around the physical space for the future."
Carol McGrandles, chair of the master concept plan steering committee, said members will look at the hospital's services and its physical space, and determine how best to use the land to provide appropriate health services that will keep up with future population growth.
Once finished, the master concept plan will guide capital decisions for hospital improvements and future expansion opportunities.
"This comprehensive planning framework will ensure our resources are focused on the highest and best use of Eagle Ridge Hospital's limited land and space," said Dr. Nigel Murray, president and CEO of Fraser Health. "This is paramount to our ability to make decisions on capital improvements and land planning over the long term."
Spurrell said the committee has met with hospital staff and doctors, with a meeting for internal stakeholders scheduled for January. Community stakeholders will be brought into the discussion in February.
A team of architects and planners will use the feedback to develop several space and development ideas, which will show how the hospital can develop in distinct phases to the year 2030.
With a detailed plan in place, the fundraising can begin, Spurrell said.
"This [planning process] doesn't bring with it millions of dollars in funding," she said. "This will help us identify what our capital financial needs are in the future."
The plan is being described as a "10-year plan inside a 20-year vision," Spurrell added.
Port Moody Mayor Mike Clay said he's pleased the hospital will be growing to better serve the community but understands it's not likely to offer all of the specialized services available at a larger regional hospital such as Royal Columbian in New Westminster.
"I understand that but I want to make sure they have the equipment and staff on hand, certainly for emergency procedures, so that if people come in in an emergency, they don't end up bouncing around the system," he said.
In addition to the site-specific issues, the planning team will also look at the entire Tri-Cities area to ensure the growth of ERH is part of a broader community health planning process, which would include ERH's connection to the redevelopment of Royal Columbian. Fraser Health is also conducting planning exercises at Delta, Peace Arch and Burnaby hospitals.
