When it comes to meeting the healthcare needs of British Columbians and Canadians, distributing medication is just one important piece of the puzzle. In Canada, pharmacies and pharmacists are beginning to take on a larger role in patient care to ease pressure on the healthcare system in the short term, reflecting a larger global trend in other countries’ healthcare systems. As of June 2023, BC pharmacists are permitted to prescribe medications for everyday health problems, like allergies, headaches, urinary tract infections, and pinkeye, with the list of conditions set to grow in the future.
Recognizing the strain on the healthcare system, the province recently announced immediate and long-term expansion plans for Surrey Memorial Hospital as well as the construction of a second hospital in Surrey’s Cloverdale neighborhood which is already underway. With the announcement of SFU’s new medical school, set to open in 2026, and UBC’s recent $70 million investment into a Surrey campus, Surrey is poised to answer rising demands for healthcare as the city grows.
Both the province and the City are committed to improving access to healthcare, inviting innovation and investment from the public and private sectors alike. One example is Surrey’s Health and Technology District, which offers a dynamic and collaborative environment for budding healthcare businesses. Work is already underway on the next phase of development, which will offer even more commercial and retail space close to Surrey Memorial, one of Canada’s busiest hospitals.
Grow your Patient Base in Surrey And Find the Work-Life Balance You Deserve
For anyone working in the healthcare space, Surrey offers a wealth of opportunities. Not only are healthcare companies and clinics being called to answer the growing demand, but all the essential infrastructure is there to support them as well.
Those who are looking to establish a new practice in Surrey can trust that your investments de-risked in Surrey.
One key tool is the Health Connect Registry, which helps doctors and patients find each other. As one of the fastest-growing cities in North America, with over 1,000 new residents moving to Surrey every month, the demand for healthcare services is rapidly increasing. Currently, more than 30,000 people in Surrey are waiting to be connected with a family doctor, allowing you to quickly build your patient list and get your practice up and running. With such demand, your patient base is almost guaranteed from the start.
Doctors in Surrey also benefit from provincially legislated compensation models, moving away from the traditional fee-for-service structure. Instead of only being paid based on the number of patients seen, the new model considers various factors, such as:
- The time spent with each patient,
- The total number of patients supported,
- The complexity of patient needs, and
- Administrative costs that doctors typically bear.
This approach allows for more autonomous and personalized care while reducing financial pressures on physicians, ultimately supporting better work-life balance. Many of these benefits are are due in part to the work done by supporting organizations like BC Family Doctors and the BC College of Family Physicians who provide advocacy and support for Doctors across the province.
One of the reasons why Surrey attracts so many new residents and businesses each month is the fact that the City offers some of the lowest business taxes in the region, competitive commercial lease rates, and housing affordability relative to the rest of Metro Vancouver. To bolster this provincial government announced a first-of-its-kind plan to build hundreds of affordable rental units specifically for healthcare workers near Surrey’s future hospital in Cloverdale. This $2.88 billion investment is a testament to British Columbia’s focus on attracting and retaining healthcare professionals.
In addition, Surrey is advancing team-based primary care. This innovative healthcare delivery model emphasizes collaboration, where healthcare professionals from various disciplines work together to meet a patient’s needs. As a doctor, you’ll have the support of a multidisciplinary team, including nurses, pharmacists, and specialists, ensuring that your patients receive comprehensive care. Moreover, this approach fosters a more balanced workload and enables you to provide the best possible outcomes. Surrey’s expanding care economy and supporting infrastructure actively support these collaborative networks.
For international health practitioners, Surrey and the province of British Columbia offer several pathways to support your transition. Firstly, The International Credentials Recognition Act, which came into effect on July 1, 2024, provides a streamlined process for internationally trained professionals in 29 occupations to get their credentials recognized with 18 regulatory bodies. To assist with immigration, the BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) through the Health Authority stream provides a pathway to permanent residency for physicians, midwives, and nurse practitioners. Alternatively, the Practice Ready Assessment (PRA) program is available for internationally-trained family doctors seeking licensure in British Columbia. The PRA program includes a clinical skills assessment, and successful participants are required to complete a three-year return of service in communities like Surrey that need healthcare professionals.
Unlock Exceptional Funding Opportunities for New-to-Practice Family Doctors
With these strategic advantages, Surrey positions itself as a prime destination for doctors looking to establish and grow their careers, all while contributing to a rapidly expanding and evolving healthcare landscape. For new-to-practice family physicians the funding opportunities are even greater.
If you’re a family practitioner that does not have an established patient panel and are ready to kickstart your career and join a full-service group clinic, Surrey is an ideal place for you. By joining into a two-year contract with the BC Ministry of Health you can receive the following benefits, (Updated October 2024):
Contract Payments
- $312,231 per annum contract rate per FTE
- $23,157 per annum per FTE of conditional bonuses
Incentives:
- $25,000 signing bonus per FTE if eligibility requirements are met
- $50,000 loan forgiveness payment per FTE if eligibility requirements are met
- Potential for additional loan forgiveness contribution of $20,000 per year for years two to five, if eligibility requirements are met
Overhead Compensation:
- The Ministry will also provide an overhead contribution of $75,000 per FTE per year, to support the overhead of the clinic that the NTP FP is joining.
Surrey's healthcare landscape is full of potential, offering the infrastructure, incentives, and growing patient demand to support healthcare professionals looking to build a thriving practice. With a rapidly expanding population, competitive compensation models, and significant government investments, Surrey is uniquely positioned to provide a strong foundation for long-term career success. Whether you’re an international health practitioner or a new-to-practice family physician, Surrey offers pathways, funding, and a collaborative care environment that make it an ideal destination. Take advantage of these opportunities, and be part of a healthcare community that’s growing alongside one of North America’s fastest-expanding cities.
Now is the time to invest in your future and make Surrey the home of your healthcare practice. Reach out to the Invest Surrey Team, and we can help you get started.