The Editor,
Frequently, it seems, we hear bad news about patient experiences in some B.C. hospitals. Our family knows something about this personally.
Happily, our experiences with Eagle Ridge Hospital over the years since it opened in 1984 have been good ones, with high-quality service in a welcoming environment from a thoroughly professional medical staff.
We want to see our Tri-Cities health centre develop so it has the resources to continue to deliver such fine outcomes to patients whose numbers are increasing with changing demographics and a growing population in Port Moody, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Anmore and Belcarra.
That's one reason, as a volunteer supporting the Eagle Ridge Hospital Foundation, I was pleased to join a community advisory group providing input to a team developing a Master Concept Plan for ERH through a project jointly sponsored by the foundation and the Fraser Health Authority.
At a recent workshop, the group heard about significant progress in this project, with clinical needs and desires being identified and with base engineering and architectural work being done so priorities for the growth of ERH can be fully and properly established perhaps by mid-year.
At least two members of the advisory group have personal stories of life-saving attention at ERH. They have no hesitation in expressing pride in ERH and its competent, dedicated and, as one said, "all too humble" team of medical service providers.
The FHA team demonstrated their professionalism and their willingness to listen to and encourage feedback from the community as they seek to set out priorities for the next five, 10 and 20 years.
Then there will be a need for the community to support of a capital plan to help fund the growth at a site the architects and engineers believe offers excellent opportunities to create a super wellness environment for staff, patients and visitors.
I encourage anyone in our community with good ideas to communicate them to the Eagle Ridge Hospital Foundation, Fraser Health or ERH. It's worth the effort to keep this valuable resource strong and healthy.
Jim Peacock, Port Moody
