NDP targets hospital ‘crisis’

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star - June 19, 2008

The provincial government is accused of ignoring “crisis” conditions at Vernon Jubilee Hospital. Carole James, NDP leader, and Adrian Dix, the party’s health critic, made a stop Wednesday to express concern about what they see as a lack of resources at VJH. “There is a crisis in Vernon and in this region,” said James, adding that there have been 50 code purple alerts so far this year because the facility was at capacity. “It’s the worst in B.C. and yet the government says there is no problem.” Recently, 18,000 people signed a petition demanding increased acute care beds, operating rooms and nursing staff at the hospital. “It should be a sign to the government that there’s a problem. People are speaking out,” said James, who in a subsequent press release, described VJH’s emergency room as “almost constant chaos.” Much of the focus from doctors has been on the need for more acute care beds, and James agrees. “Acute care beds are a large part of the problem,” she said, adding that previous cuts to health care are responsible. James believes the Liberals are too focused on Vancouver.

“Anything that’s outside of the Lower Mainland is ignored by this government. But the resources that support all of us in the province come from the north, the Okanagan and the Interior,” she said. Members of the Vernon Taxpayers Association met with James and Dix. Tony Stamboulieh, association spokesman, is concerned about the development of the new $81 million diagnostic and treatment tower and the fact that a large company will not only finance and build it, but operate the tower. “We want to know the details of the contract before it has been signed. What are they getting out of our public health assets?” he said. Health Minister George Abbott insists the NDP is misinterpreting the situation at the hospital. “We haven’t suggested there aren’t challenges. There’s a good reason why we are investing close to $100 million in the next few years,” said Abbott. “I don’t recall the NDP at any point during their 10 years in government investing any significant dollars at VJH. They talk and we act.”

Tom Christensen, Okanagan Vernon MLA, is quick to refute the claims of the NDP. “We are working hard to be responsive to what we’ve heard from health care workers,” he said, adding that he and family members have been patients at VJH. “I would never describe it as chaotic and that is an insult to health care workers who are doing a tremendous job.” Christensen says the government expanded VJH’s emergency room last year, is moving ahead with the diagnostic and treatment tower and has increased nurse training. “People need to look at what the NDP did to health care over their 10 years and the investment we’ve made since 2001,” he said.