Bit of a mixed reaction from Vernon doctors after a media and staff tour of the new Polson Tower which will open to the public this fall. Dr Ed Hardy, president of the medical staff, says they appreciate the new facilities, but there is still the lingering problem of an acute care bed shortage. The hospital is funding for 148 beds but is regularly over capacity. Hardy tells KISS FM, "People of this region will be disappointed, if come late September when this tower opens, we're over capacity and code purple on day one, and as it stands now, that's where we're going to be." Hardy says the irony is they could have patients operated on in one of the four brand new state of the art operating rooms, who will then have to go back to a bed in a four bed ward, subject the usual infection risks that have been there for the last twenty years. Emergency doctor Michael Concannan says they're urging people to sign the online purple ribbon petition. "As a medical staff, we can let the public and local politicians know that the over capacity is a public health issue, but really the push for the completion of the two shelled in floors, that has to come from our North Okanagan community." Vernon Monashee MLA Eric Foster says he continues to push the health minister hard for bed funding, and says it's a matter if when the funding is approved, not if. The online purple ribbon campaign, is now over 1,200 names.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Doctors Say New Tower Fails To Ease Bed Issues
Bit of a mixed reaction from Vernon doctors after a media and staff tour of the new Polson Tower which will open to the public this fall. Dr Ed Hardy, president of the medical staff, says they appreciate the new facilities, but there is still the lingering problem of an acute care bed shortage. The hospital is funding for 148 beds but is regularly over capacity. Hardy tells KISS FM, "People of this region will be disappointed, if come late September when this tower opens, we're over capacity and code purple on day one, and as it stands now, that's where we're going to be." Hardy says the irony is they could have patients operated on in one of the four brand new state of the art operating rooms, who will then have to go back to a bed in a four bed ward, subject the usual infection risks that have been there for the last twenty years. Emergency doctor Michael Concannan says they're urging people to sign the online purple ribbon petition. "As a medical staff, we can let the public and local politicians know that the over capacity is a public health issue, but really the push for the completion of the two shelled in floors, that has to come from our North Okanagan community." Vernon Monashee MLA Eric Foster says he continues to push the health minister hard for bed funding, and says it's a matter if when the funding is approved, not if. The online purple ribbon campaign, is now over 1,200 names.
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