Abbott refutes VJH claims

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star - February 10, 2008

Minister meets with city officials. B.C.’s health minister is defending funding levels at Vernon Jubilee Hospital.George Abbott met with city council late Friday to discuss conditions at VJH, and particularly funding for beds.“I find it ironic to hear complaints about funding at VJH when we have announced an $81 million investment (in a treatment and diagnostic tower). It’s one of the largest projects in the province,” he said prior to the meeting.Abbott also points to provincial funding for Hospice House and a new health care centre for the homeless, saying those will take pressure off the hospital.“All of these are important pieces,” said the Shuswap MLA.Council requested the meeting after receiving a report from two physicians that claims VJH is not receiving the same level of services as other facilities.“We don’t see a basis for that suggestion,” said Abbott, adding the number of beds can’t be the only focus.

“Obviously acute care beds are important but that’s just one part of the continuum around health management.” However, city officials believe the doctors’ report identifies a problem at VJH. “They insist the acute care bed shortage is at a critical point,” said Coun. Juliette Cunningham. “We are not being funded to the level we should be in terms of workload (at VJH) and aging population.”Cunningham is pleased that the treatment and diagnostic tower is going ahead, but she believes it’s not enough. “If you build the tower but not acute care beds, there’s still a huge gap,” she said. “I’d like to see the provincial government put in more funding for beds.” The new tower may include an unfinished floor, and Mayor Wayne Lippert insists that should be designated to address the physicians’ concerns. “We want the formula corrected so we can get funding for beds,” he said. Abbott’s meeting with council was part of several events he participated in Friday. During a stop in Kelowna, he officially opened a newly renovated $3 million neonatal unit at Kelowna General Hospital.“The unit, which has the capacity to expand to eight level-two beds, means that more moms and infants will get specialized care closer to home and in a more comfortable family environment,” he said.

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Morning Star Editorial Hospital must be taken seriously

Apparently George Abbott wants to sidestep conditions at Vernon Jubilee Hospital. Confronted with a report from frontline doctors which says VJH is under-funded compared to other facilities, Abbott can only be combative. “I find it ironic to hear complaints about funding at VJH when we have announced an $81 million investment,” he said of a planned treatment and diagnostic tower. Obviously the tower is good news, but it will do absolutely nothing to alleviate the severe shortage of acute care beds. And the same argument applies when Abbott points to government funding for Hospice House or a health care centre for the homeless. They will certainly ease some burden on VJH, but as Abbott so regularly states, they are just one part of the process. The physicians’ report indicates VJH only has 125 acute care beds when it should have 134 or more. That means patients are having to wait until they can get into a bed or they are stuck in a hallway. And as the North Okanagan’s population not only grows, but ages, the pressure on the health care system will worsen. Certainly Abbott’s ministry has to focus on the health needs of the entire province, but with the government forecasting a $1.6 billion surplus in September, there is considerable cash available. Beyond that, the government must commit itself to basic equity in health care. If VJH is not receiving the same funding has similar-sized facilities, that problem must be addressed. In the end, the government’s willingness to fund some initiatives is appreciated, but it can’t be used to eclipse critical issues that need attention.Abbott must stop being combative and start being co-operative.