NDP leader calls for action on VJH bed "crisis"

107.5 KISSFM Pete McIntyre

Carole James vows to keep the pressure on the BC government to address the need for more beds at Vernon Jubilee Hospital. The BC New Democrat leader met with hospital staff, patients and residents Wednesday. She says the record 50 code purples called this year--- representing over-crowding----is a crisis, and the worst situation in BC. "It's not good enough for the Interior health Authority to say, 'We're going to ask, we hope the government will listen to us, we hope we'll get some additional beds.' You should have the Health Minister and the MLA standing up and saying that this hospital will get the beds, that that is a committment they're making because of the crisis here." James says the recent 18-thousand name petition calling for more funding, should be a sign that people want action. "The Minister may say acute care beds are a small part of the picture but if you're waiting in a hallway, If you don't get the kind of service or surgery you need, what kind of small issue is that? It's a huge issue." Health critic Adrian Dix would like to see an independent review on the funding levels at the hospital."We have a report at the beginning of this year from the very distinguished doctors that know the problem on a daily basis. They've said there's significant under funding of this hospital and that's the sense you get. Interior Health expects five code purples a year and they've had 50 and its not the end of June yet. They're on pace for more than 100 . Everytime there's a code purple now, they set a BC record." Health Minister George Abbott has dismissed a review done by doctors as "fundamentally flawed".

On hand for the meeting, was Vernon Taxpayers spokesman Tony Stamboulieh. "We are very appreciative of their efforts. I can't say the same about our local MLA who is too important to speak to taxpayers." MLA Tom Christensen told the Vernon Daily Courier, health care is the easiet subject to target for the opposition, as there's always challenges. "It's unfortunate that they swoop into town and make claims because people have been working hard. Christensen doesn't deny there's challenges at VJH, but feels his government is taking steps to address them.