Kevin Falcon is not ready yet to commit to new beds for Vernon Jubilee Hospital, once the new patient care tower is finished.The new Health Minister visited the work site Friday, saying the project is several months ahead of schedule, putting completion in early 2011. Falcon says using the two shelled-in floors will be based on results of an external review by Interior Health. Falcon told KISS FM, "(The review will) take a look at capacity and utilization. We want to make sure that whatever decisions are make are based on foundations of real science and facts. So they will do that and certainly I'll be guided by the recommendations from Interior Health and the external review we have going on." If the new floors are used, it would add 60 patient beds to the hospital which doctors say are desperately needed. Falcon is also downplaying suggestions he plans to amalgamate BC's five health authorities, saying at this point he's not convinced there would be benefits and savings. The Surrey Cloverdale MLA says the challenge in health care will be to do more, with the assets they have, as they don't have unlimited dollars to continue to expand. Monday, June 29, 2009
Falcon Not Committing To New Beds
Kevin Falcon is not ready yet to commit to new beds for Vernon Jubilee Hospital, once the new patient care tower is finished.The new Health Minister visited the work site Friday, saying the project is several months ahead of schedule, putting completion in early 2011. Falcon says using the two shelled-in floors will be based on results of an external review by Interior Health. Falcon told KISS FM, "(The review will) take a look at capacity and utilization. We want to make sure that whatever decisions are make are based on foundations of real science and facts. So they will do that and certainly I'll be guided by the recommendations from Interior Health and the external review we have going on." If the new floors are used, it would add 60 patient beds to the hospital which doctors say are desperately needed. Falcon is also downplaying suggestions he plans to amalgamate BC's five health authorities, saying at this point he's not convinced there would be benefits and savings. The Surrey Cloverdale MLA says the challenge in health care will be to do more, with the assets they have, as they don't have unlimited dollars to continue to expand. 
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