The people of Delta care about their community and nowhere is that more evident than in the tremendous support they have shown over the years to support Delta Hospital, an acute care facility. Delta Hospital offers healthcare to more than 100,000 residents from North Delta, Ladner and Tsawwassen plus many employees from local businesses and travelers who pass through the busy region every day.
Planning for our hospital began in the early 1960's. During Canada's Centenary Year 1967, the Delta Centennial Hospital Fact Finding Committee was established. Many residents expressed an enthusiastic agreement with the thought of having a hospital in Delta. In the initial planning stages, the hospital would have 32 beds for maternity, pediatrics and geriatrics with a chronic care unit in a separate wing.
For several years, the committee pushed various levels of government to open a hospital in Delta. Finally in 1974, Delta Municipal Council and the GVRHD jointly purchased the land where Delta Hospital sits today. Construction on the first phase officially got underway for a 75 bed extended care hospital that actually opened on January 28, 1977 with 100 beds.
The second phase called for an acute care hospital with an Emergency Department, Operating Rooms and facilities for ambulatory patients with emphasis on Day Care Surgery. In March 1977, the Ministry of Health gave the approval of 75 acute care beds for Delta and Delta Hospital was officially opened by the Minister of Health, Rafe Mair, on September 5, 1980.
In the late 1990's, it became evident that the existing Emergency Department was becoming overloaded. Originally designed for 12,000 annual visits, over 22,000 patients were being treated in the ER. In consultation with staff, Delta Hospital Foundation funded a study to determine the current needs at Delta Hospital. The result was a comprehensive plan to expand and renovate the Emergency Department, relocate the Surgical Day Care, redesign the front entrance and create an Ambulatory Care Unit and chapel. Shortly after the project was approved by the South Fraser Health Region, confidence in the sustainability of Delta Hospital was shaken by the announcement that the Emergency Department at Delta Hospital would be closed during the night.
The community of Delta rallied around its hospital and lobbying the government to keep the ER open 24/7. That decision was reversed and the Emergency Department of Delta did not close.
During this time, Delta Hospital Foundation made a decision to push forward to complete the expansion and renovation of the Emergency Department to show their confidence in Delta Hospital. The project was divided into 2 phases with Phase 1 focusing on the ER and Surgical Day Care.
In 2006, Delta Hospital opened the new Emergency Department, tripling the floor space of the previous ER. In addition, several improvements were made to ensure the safe and efficient movement of patients through the ER. A decontamination suite was built to handle a SARS-like epidemic. A fast-track area allows patients requiring sutures and other simple treatments to move through the ER quickly. The relocated Surgical Day Care Unit provides easy access to the Operating Room that ensures effective pre and post-operative treatment for patients.
Today, Delta Hospital is a thriving community hospital that continues to grow and adapt to the changing needs of the community, thanks to the continued generosity and commitment of the community.
Delta Hospital can be contacted directly at 604-946-1121.
For more information on Fraser Health and Delta Hospital please visit the Fraser Health website. |
