Our Stories

Letter to the Editor submitted to the Delta Optimist

August 22, 2025

We deeply appreciate the Delta Optimist for its ongoing partnership and commitment to sharing important community issues. A recent letter to the editor titled “Action Needed to Fix Healthcare Crisis” highlights concerns that we, too, take very seriously.

Delta Hospital and Community Health Foundation (DHCH Foundation) is actively collaborating with Fraser Health Authority (FHA), the Ministry of Health as well as Delta’s Mayor and Council to address these challenges. The recent emergency room closures are part of a broader, province-wide issue rooted in a critical shortage of healthcare professionals. This is not unique to Delta, but it is deeply felt here.

Over the past year, DHCH Foundation has taken decisive steps to support and strengthen local healthcare, including:

• Advocating for additional resources, such as an Urgent Primary Care Centre.
• Funding initiatives to recruit and retain ER physicians at Delta Hospital.
• Launching a granting program to support community-based healthcare programs that help reduce hospital visits.

We remain steadfast in our commitment to advocating for the healthcare needs of Delta residents, especially when the system falls short. Our community’s generosity continues to inspire us. Together, we raised a record-breaking $18.25 million towards the Beedie Long Term Care Centre and committed $8 million to fully fund a project to upgrade Delta Hospital’s Endoscopy Program. We are also continuing discussions with FHA regarding other high priority equipment needs.

However, we must acknowledge that our ability to resolve systemic issues is limited. A sustainable solution requires a modernized, responsive healthcare framework; that reflects the realities of growing communities like ours. We have and will continue to urge the provincial government to take the necessary steps to address Delta’s urgent healthcare needs and to work closely with healthcare partners to develop and implement such a system.

With rapid regional development, including new housing targets, expansion at Deltaport, and population growth on TFN lands, our healthcare infrastructure must evolve to meet increasing demand. It is essential that healthcare systems are scaled appropriately to support this growth.

DHCH Foundation is committed to ensuring that all Delta residents have access to timely, high-quality medical care, while also supporting overflow from neighboring communities. We will continue to advocate, invest, and lead with purpose, because our community deserves nothing less.

Sincerely,

Lisa Hoglund, CFRE, CEO, DHCH Foundation  

Andrew Jackson, Board Chair, DHCH Foundation