New Cardiac Cath Lab Opens in Surrey, Enhancing Local Healthcare

Residents in Surrey, British Columbia, will soon benefit from enhanced healthcare services with the opening of a new cardiac catheterization lab. At a press conference held at Surrey Memorial Hospital on December 5, Premier David Eby announced that the cardiac catheterization suites will open on December 8, 2023. This will be followed by the launch of two new interventional radiology suites on January 8, 2026.

“People living in Surrey deserve health care close to home,” Eby stated. “Not after a long wait or a long drive to another community, but right here in Surrey.” The new facilities are designed to provide essential health services, making specialized care more accessible for local residents.

The cardiac catheterization suites will be the first of their kind south of the Fraser River. These suites will facilitate interventional cardiology procedures, allowing physicians to perform minimally invasive techniques to diagnose and treat heart conditions without the need for open surgery.

Eby further explained the significance of the interventional radiology services: “For some cancer treatments, for other heart-related health issues, and other internal issues, doctors need to understand what’s happening to provide care that you don’t have to travel to New Westminster for.”

Dr. Dwayne Conway, the regional co-director of interventional cardiology for Fraser Health and head of interventional cardiology at Surrey Memorial Hospital, emphasized the importance of this development. “Timely access to this type of care can make a considerable difference to outcomes,” he noted. “Having it available locally will ease what has, for many years, been a real concern for patients and families.”

Currently, patients requiring cardiac procedures such as angioplasty or diagnostic angiography must travel to Royal Columbian Hospital in New Westminster or to hospitals in Vancouver. With the new facilities, patients will soon be able to receive diagnosis and treatment at their local hospital.

Dr. Conway expressed gratitude to his colleagues and the staff whose efforts have made this project possible. He likened their teamwork to a symphony orchestra, where each member plays a critical role. “Each and every one of them [is] accomplished solo performers, but even better, in the team and together, we’re going to make really sweet music here, and the rhythm is going to be the heartbeat of our patients and our community.”

Also speaking at the event was Dermot Kelly, president and CEO of Fraser Health, who highlighted the human aspect of the new services. “It’s what it means for the families who need health care, often on some of the most difficult days of their lives,” Kelly remarked. “The new interventional unit, including the new cardiac catheterization suites, reflects our commitment to providing leading-edge care that is timely, coordinated, and truly centred on the needs of our community.”

This announcement comes at a poignant time, as a Surrey family continues to advocate for significant reforms in the healthcare system following the tragic death of their son, Rowan Hamilton. Their efforts have highlighted the critical need for improved healthcare access in the region.

The opening of these new facilities marks a significant step forward in addressing the healthcare needs of Surrey residents, ensuring they have access to essential cardiac and radiological services without the burden of long-distance travel.