Mayor Brenda Locke’s healthcare administrator proposal aims to close Surrey’s healthcare gap and secure fair resources for all residents.
Mayor Locke Leads Charge for Fair Healthcare in Surrey
Surrey is taking a proactive step toward health equity, thanks to Mayor Brenda Locke’s visionary proposal to hire a dedicated healthcare administrator. As the city’s population soars, Locke’s plan is designed to address the urgent healthcare gaps that have left Surrey residents underserved for far too long.
Bridging the Gap: Why Surrey Needs a Healthcare Administrator
Despite having a population nearly equal to Vancouver, Surrey faces a stark shortage of hospital beds, family doctors, and specialized services. For example, Surrey has less than half the hospital beds of Vancouver and just 16 pediatric beds compared to Vancouver’s 252, even though Surrey’s school district serves almost twice as many children. These aren’t just numbers-they reflect real families waiting in crowded ERs, seniors in need of long-term care, and young parents searching for a family doctor.
Mayor Locke’s proposal is a direct response to these pressing needs. By establishing a healthcare administrator within the City Manager’s Office, Surrey will have a dedicated advocate to coordinate efforts, research successful models from other cities, and push for the resources residents deserve. This is about giving Surrey a strong, unified voice in the healthcare conversation.
Innovative Solutions for a Growing City
Locke’s plan isn’t just about advocacy-it’s about action. The healthcare administrator will explore creative solutions, such as community health centres and interdisciplinary networks, and evaluate the feasibility of Surrey employing or contracting family doctors to meet local demand. The goal is to learn from successful initiatives, like Colwood’s municipally operated clinic, and tailor those strategies to Surrey’s unique needs.
A Step Toward Health Equity
Mayor Locke recognizes that healthcare is a provincial responsibility, but she refuses to let Surrey be left behind while waiting for change. Her leadership sends a clear message: Surrey deserves nothing less than fair and equitable healthcare. By acting now, the city can ensure that every resident-from newborns to seniors-has access to the care they need.
Moving Forward Together
Mayor Locke’s proposal is about more than just hiring a new staff member; it’s about building a healthier future for Surrey. By uniting city leadership, staff, and residents around a common goal, Surrey can set a new standard for municipal advocacy and innovation in healthcare.
Surrey’s residents have waited long enough. With Mayor Locke’s bold plan, the city is taking decisive action to secure the healthcare resources and services its growing population deserves.
