Western Community College offers free massages to Surrey hospital staff

Western Community College is offering free massages every Friday to health-care workers at Surrey Memorial Hospital. Students in the college’s registered massage therapy program provide the sessions under supervision from registered massage therapists.

The initiative is a partnership with Surrey Hospitals Foundation. College president Gurpal Dhaliwal said it recognizes hospital staff for the care they provide, while foundation president and CEO Nicole Robson said it gives students an opportunity to apply their training in support of health care.

WCC director of strategic partnerships Raj Hundal said the college, located across from Surrey Memorial, proposed the program to the foundation. It allows students to complete required practice hours while giving workers a mental and physical break after demanding shifts, including medical emergencies and mental-health crises.

The first sessions were held Aug. 21. Appointments run every Friday from 9 a.m. to 12:20 p.m., with no stated end date. Booking is online; although the booking page lists a $30 fee, Hundal confirmed the sessions are free for hospital staff.