The development of a master concept plan for Eagle Ridge Hospital will be a key development in health care planning for the entire region.
The Tri-Cities is one of the fastest growing communities and the Port Moody hospital has to continue to meet the health care challenges of an increasingly diverse and slowly aging population.
Since ERH was built nearly 30 years ago, a lot has changed in the way health care services are provided. The proliferation of technology has made it easier to prolong life while also making it possible to provide less invasive surgeries and Eagle Ridge hospital has been on the forefront of providing outstanding outpatient care, education, counselling and diagnostic services as well as surgical day care services and emergency response.
Despite its importance in the delivery of health care services, Eagle Ridge has long been the baby sister to the larger Royal Columbian Hospital, the region's major trauma centre and a centre for cardiac care and treatment, oncology, vascular and thoracic surgery. This may have to change in coming years and more services may need to be relocated to Eagle Ridge as Royal Columbian Hospital seeks to redevelop and enlarge its cramped quarters.
While all the hospitals within the Fraser Health umbrella will undergo some change, including Surrey, where the population is growing quickly, Eagle Ridge may have to play a more important role in the delivery of services as the tsunami of baby boomers reaches retirement age and needs more intensive health services.
The ERH Foundation along with Fraser Health will be partnering with the entire community to determine the long-term needs for the region and this information will provide the basis of a master plan for future development of the local hospital as well as the future role of RCH. Many experts will be consulted and a new role for Eagle Ridge will likely be the result, and from this Fraser Health will likely adapt the model for its larger health care campuses.
ERH may still be the little sister to RCH but it will have a lot to say in the development of health care delivery for years to come.
