Surrey is hiring a health care administrator to boost family doctor access and launch new community clinics, addressing critical healthcare shortages.
Surrey Moves to Address Healthcare Shortages
Surrey is still on the hunt for a health care administrator months after city council approved the role. The search, which launched earlier this year, will close on October 29, as the city aims to tackle long-standing gaps in local healthcare services.
“Nobody’s been hired yet. The job listing went out, and we’re in the interviewing stage,” Councillor Pardeep Kooner told the Now-Leader on Wednesday.
The city first greenlit Mayor Brenda Locke’s motion back in May, emphasizing the urgent need for a dedicated administrator to oversee Surrey’s healthcare initiatives and ensure residents have better access to services.
A Strategic Push for Family Doctors and Clinics
Shortly after being contacted for comment, the City of Surrey released a statement announcing a Request for Proposals (RFP) aimed at partnering with an experienced operator to open a network of community-based medical clinics.
“While healthcare is a provincial responsibility, our residents need solutions now,” Locke said. “We are stepping up strategically to bring more family doctors, ease pressure on emergency rooms, and improve health outcomes. By pairing a top-tier partner with a Health Care Administrator, we are building the capacity, governance, and partnerships needed to deliver results.”
Currently, Surrey has about 59 family doctors per 100,000 residents, far below Vancouver’s 136 per 100,000. The city hopes this new initiative will bridge the gap and provide equity-focused, neighborhood-based care. The first clinics are expected to open by mid-2026.
Role Responsibilities and Requirements
The successful administrator will oversee the clinics, manage operations, recruit staff, and work closely with Simon Fraser University’s School of Medicine to establish teaching sites. Applicants must have at least five years of experience running multiple clinics in British Columbia.
Locke confirmed that the role will be full-time with a salary around $250,000 per year, adding that the city has seen strong interest from highly qualified candidates.
Council Divided on the Initiative
Locke’s April 28 motion was met with mixed reactions on council. Some, like Councillor Linda Annis, criticized the move as a costly, unnecessary municipal intervention into a provincial responsibility.
“Healthcare is a provincial responsibility, not a municipal one,” Annis said. She argued the role could cost more than $300,000 annually and warned against potential scope creep.
Others, including Councillors Gordon Hepner, Rob Stutt, Pardeep Kooner, and Harry Bains, supported the motion, calling it a vital step to advocate for Surrey residents and improve local health outcomes.
Locke emphasized that proactive city action is essential: “We can wait for the province, or we can look at opportunities for Surrey to improve healthcare locally. This isn’t just about hospital beds; it’s about preventative care and building the infrastructure our residents need.”
What’s Next
The city’s RFP outlines a detailed plan for clinic operations, site selection, and patient care standards. A preferred proponent is expected to be chosen by the end of the year, paving the way for a significant boost to healthcare services in Surrey.
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