When Langley Memorial Hospital opened its doors in 1948, it served a much different, rural community. While the current Emergency Department was built to accommodate just 68 patients a day, today, the medical team can treat close to twice that.
Recognizing the need for both staff and patients, the Langley Memorial Hospital Foundation launched its $15-million Emergency Response Campaign. Not only will it fund a new emergency department, but also a new MRI suite for Langley, Metro Vancouver’s fastest-growing municipality between 2011 and 2016.
“In addition to a fast-growing population overall, Langley also has the fastest-growing senior population in Metro Vancouver, and both are placing huge pressures on our hospital and medical team,” says Vivian Smith, the Foundation’s Executive Director. “Through this campaign, our amazing staff will have the tools they need to continue delivering the quality of care the community deserves.”
The Challenge
While nearly one-quarter of patients arrive by ambulance, Langley Memorial does not have a dedicated ambulance lane. Wait times are over 10 hours for at least two-thirds of patients and people are lined up waiting for a bed.
In addition to cramped ER quarters, Langley is also one of the few Fraser Health communities without an MRI suite, meaning all patients must travel to Abbotsford or Surrey for MRI scans, which provide physicians the best tool to help diagnose diseases and medical conditions. Langley residents currently wait 18 months or more for semi-urgent and non-urgent scans, meaning delays in timely diagnosis, monitoring and treatment.
The Solution
Langley Memorial’s Emergency Response Campaign will double the ER’s current footprint, ensuring Langley’s growing population will continue to have access to emergency care, in a space built to meet their needs.
Kicking off the campaign in May with news of two significant donations, the Foundation also announced it will raise $4 million to partner with Fraser Health for an MRI. Set to welcome its first patients in 2019, some 7,500 exams are expected within the first 12 months!
Response from all involved has been inspiring, Smith says. “Our team is already recognized for its exceptional patient care, but the campaign has brought a rising sense of pride and excitement among our medical staff, Foundation, volunteers and community at what this will mean for the hospital environment, and our ability to do even more for patients,” Smith says. “It’s uplifting.”
How you can help:
“We are ensuring there’s an opportunity for everyone to contribute,” Smith emphasizes, noting donations are welcome online at langleyER.com.
“Maybe they’d like to give in honour of an ER caregiver who provided exceptional care for themselves or someone they love, or even host their own community fundraiser and rally more support!”
For details, call the Foundation at 604-533-6422 or email info@lmhfoundation.com
