The Interior Health Authority shared a bit of good news at a hastily arrranged press conference at Vernon Jubilee Hospital Thursday afternoon. Officials say they're aware of the need for acute care beds, as demanded by physicians in a letter to Health Minister George Abbott May 23 and received by North Okanagan municipalities this week. "Government is looking at the needs and they are clear about the needs for acute care beds" confirmed Joanne Konnert, chief operating officer. That's heartening but 'government' includes not only the IHA but the provincial government and the North Okanagan-Columbia-Shuswap Regional Hospital District, all of whom will need to be involved in the capital funding for shelved-in floors. Which will take time to get approved, if at all, not to mention the operating funding. However, it's still a good sign that IHA is aware that acute care beds are needed beyond the $81 million tower at VJH that is soon to be constructed. That they are 'working on it as fast as they can' is also a good thing and the tower itself is, of course, welcome and cause for excitement. What the IHA fails to understand, however, is why it took an unprecedented stance by VJH physicians and a petition campaign from the public to help authorities come to these conclusions. Why weren't these 'realizations' available to the authorities in the first place to incorporate into the initial tower plan? Meanwhile, while authorities continue to defend themselves in the midst of controversy, the code purples continue at an alarming rate at our hospital. The clock continues to tick.
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