Dispute erupts over health care

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star - July 04, 2008

The war of words continues over Vernon Jubilee Hospital. The Vernon Taxpayers Association is upset with a letter Okanagan Vernon MLA Tom Christensen sent out June 6 about previous correspondence from the group. “It was off-handed and rude,” said Tony Stamboulieh, association spokesman, of the letter from Christensen. “He tells us we are wrong and that’s not so. All of our facts are based on government figures.” In his letter, Christensen states, “The statements regarding current funding and services that you have expressed in your letter are in most cases inaccurate. “I must correct your statement that only 125 acute care beds are currently funded as the number of beds currently funded at VJH is 138.” Christensen also indicates that pressure will be taken off VJH through the opening of six more palliative care beds at Hospice House, as well as 106 new seniors care beds. “Nevertheless, I will be closely monitoring these developments and having ongoing discussions with both the Interior Health Authority and the Ministry of Health,” he wrote.

On Friday, the association issued a press release challenging Christensen’s comments. “One-hundred-and-thirty-eight acute care beds refers to the 125 funded beds plus 13 temporarily funded beds on 2E. Are you suggesting that these temporary beds are now permanently funded?” states the release. “You say that your government is providing 106 new residential beds. However, with the closure of the Alexander wing, we are losing 49 residential beds according to the admitting department, so that should be taken into account when there is talk about opening other residential beds. Also, one residential bed does not equal one acute care bed. You are equating a residential bed with an acute care bed.”

Christensen told The Morning Star Friday that he is willing to set up a meeting between the association and IHA. “Mr. Stamboulieh chooses to communicate with me by news releases. But I am more than happy to get information any resident wants on health care,” he said. But Stamboulieh believes it is Christensen that needs to look at the situation more closely. “It’s time that Mr. Christensen reflected our concerns and accepted the facts,” he said.