Valley Laser Eye Centre, B.C., Opens Doors

A new $5 million “private-pay” surgical centre in Abbotsford with three operating rooms and the latest in technological medical equipment started offering surgery to patients this week.

Some critics are concerned about the new private facility at 2545 McCallum Rd., but owner Dr. John Blaylock said the public health care system is failing people with unacceptable surgical wait times.

It’s the failure of Canada’s health care system that is driving the need for “consumer-driven” medical care, Blaylock said.

On the other hand, critics say the growing number of private-pay surgical centres in B.C. is an alarming trend because it fosters a two-tier health care system where only rich people will be able to afford timely surgeries.

The other problem, said NDP health critic David Cubberley, is that highly skilled doctors and nurses are being drawn to private clinics, thereby leaving the public system straining under even more pressure to fill professions that are already struggling with skilled staff shortages (see “Public vs. Private” story on page A2).
Blaylock said it’s important to note that the centre is fulfilling an important medical need.

“Patients who can afford to pay for their own surgery are going to find this an attractive alternative to the long, unacceptable surgical waits lists in the public health care system,” Blaylock said. The new 7,000-square-foot Blaylock Surgical Centre and Valley Laser Eye Centre features the comfort and ambience of a high-class facility with designer touches, Blaylock said.

The first patient to have surgery at the laser eye centre entered the doors on Thursday. General day surgeries are set to begin on April 20. A team of about 30 surgeons will be available at the centre, on a part-time basis, to perform various general surgeries; hernia repairs; and cataract, orthopedic, dental and plastic surgeries, Blaylock said.

In addition to the team of part-time surgeons, the centre will have a permanent staff of about 12 people, including an anesthesiologist, an OR technician, registered nurses and other health care professionals. Blaylock envisions the facility will expand to perform hip and knee surgeries in the near future.

Alice Sugimoto, former head of the Chilliwack General Hospital operating room, said she had never imagined working in a private surgical centre. But, she left the public system 13 months ago and said she loves working in the private sector. She dealt with a variety of patients and problems working in a public hospital. Now employed in the Blaylock Surgical Centre, she looks forward to offering a “different” kind of service, she said.

Patients will be charged for their surgeries, depending on the complexity of the services and the medical care provided, Blaylock said. He’s enthusiastic about this new venture and said he is getting great support in the community.

Blaylock explained that his surgical ORs are equipped with the latest medical technology, and the ORs are superior to the local hospital ORs, and will be staffed with highly trained health care professionals. He anticipates the centre will operate in a similar way as the False Creek Surgical Centre in Vancouver.

“This is a high-end surgical centre; patients will get rapid access to surgery, and the prices will be reasonable and competitive,” Blaylock said.

Prices of the surgeries are to be posted on a future website.

Blaylock is a renowned eye surgeon who lectures around the world on safe and successful leading-edge laser procedures that he performs locally at the Valley Laser Eye Centre.

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