Fraser Health takes over motel for discharged patients who can't go home

The sign says George Point Inn, but beginning Monday, this motel will become temporary transitional housing for some patients being discharged from Surrey Memorial Hospital who can't go home.

The sign says George Point Inn.

But beginning Monday, this motel will become temporary transitional housing for some patients being discharged from Surrey Memorial Hospital who can't go home.

“Having patients in an acute bed when they are ready for discharge is not good for anybody and certainly not for the patients,” said Dr. Marietta Van Den Berg, the site medical director for Surrey Memorial Hospital.

“It’s frustrating and it’s not really a great environment to be in an acute unit when you are ready for discharge but can’t go home,” she explained.

Fraser Health has leased the entire motel for two years at a cost of $4.5 million. Operational costs will be $5.5 million over the same time period.

“We have staffed it with 24/7 nursing staff because maybe some of these patients, even if they had gone home, may need help with taking their medications, for example,” the doctor said.

The revamped motel will start with about five patients.