By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star - June 04, 2008
Seven senior physicians are unwilling to sanction an expansion at Vernon Jubilee Hospital. In a May 23 letter to Health Minister George Abbott, the doctors criticize the construction of a diagnostic and treatment tower. “As physicians, we can only endorse a facility that will allow us to provide the safest and highest quality of care for our patients,” state Chris Cunningham, Jeff Demetrick, Hamish Hwang, Steven Friesen, Harold Yacyshyn, Jon Friesen and Ken Perrier. “Therefore, we cannot in good conscience endorse the current plans for the tower without modifications as the needs of the community will not be met with future growth and aging.” The physicians challenge the designs, and claim that along with no new acute care beds being added, the number of operating rooms will not be sufficient. The physicians warn that they have the support of the public. “If the current plans are followed, 10 years from now, the B.C. Liberals’ legacy in the North Okanagan and Shuswap will be the government who ignored the concerns of physicians and the community, ignored their own statistics and projections and built a multi-million dollar hospital facility that was overcapacity the day it opened and only provided expansion potential for five to 10 years,” they state.
“This is not our desire and we want to work together with you to find a solution to this serious problem.” Cunningham defends the tone of the letter. “We have concerns that health care services be adequate for a growing region,” he told The Morning Star. “We are pleased with the tower going through, but it must be adequate.” The Interior Health Authority met with doctors a few days after the letter was written. “We have talked to them about their concerns and we have told them we are talking to the regional district about shelved-in space for beds,” said Joanne Konnert, chief operating officer. As departments move into the new tower, vacant space in the existing hospital could also possibly be used for acute care beds. Konnert says she was pleased with the meeting with physicians. “I felt that people were pleased with the tower. They want a firm commitment (on beds) but we can’t do that. That’s three or four years out,” she said of the planning process. Konnert stands behind the data IHA has used to determine the scope of the tower, and she insists the project must proceed. “We are talking an intensive care unit, an emergency department and maternal/child. We have to move forward.”
The physicians’ letter was sent to all North Okanagan municipalities, and was discussed by Lumby council Monday. “It’s a regional hospital and we all use it. We’ve all heard the stories of people being admitted and sitting in hallways,” said Mayor Eric Foster. Abbott could not be reached for comment.
No comments:
Post a Comment