The City of Delta has sent a letter to BC’s Minister of Health, calling for the establishment of two Urgent and Primary Care Centres (UPCCs) in or near Delta.
The letter, signed jointly by Tsawwassen First Nation and the City of Surrey, outlines the ongoing and escalating concerns around access to health care across the region, highlighting recent closures of the Delta Hospital Emergency Department in February and overall strain on the local health care system.
“People should be able to have confidence that quality, timely health care will be available to them when they need it,” said Mayor George V. Harvie. “The addition of two UPCCs—one supporting residents in and around South Delta and another to support residents in North Delta—would be invaluable, reducing the pressure on Delta Hospital and Surrey Memorial, and ensuring better access to non-emergent health care. Our growing region needs robust health care services more than ever and Delta Council will continue to advocate for these much-needed facilities.”
Due to the current lack of primary care physicians and walk-in clinics in the community, Delta and Tsawwassen First Nation residents are increasingly forced to seek care for non-emergent issues at local hospitals, adding to the strain on Delta Hospital, as well as health care facilities in neighbouring Surrey. Two new Urgent and Primary Care Centres, one in or close to North Delta and one in South Delta or on Tsawwassen First Nation Lands, would not only provide increased options for local residents, but they would also relieve pressure on already at-capacity emergency rooms, making sure they are able to continue delivering life-saving care.
The joint letter, signed by Delta Mayor George V. Harvie, Tsawwassen First Nation Chief Laura Cassidy, and Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke can be read here.
For more information on this news release, please contact media@delta.ca.