Written by Peter McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM Tuesday, 28 June 2011 14:06
There was another parade of purple outside Vernon's hospital today. Nurses, other heath care workers, and some residents rallied in support of the purple ribbon campaign aimed at convincing the province of the need for more bed and staff funding, to reduce overcrowding. BC Nurses president Debra McPherson told the crowd of 60, the Liberals could find the funding, if they wanted to. "This has been going on since 1980. What are they talking about? They found 380-million dollars to put a roof on a gaming stadium (BC Place). They didn't have to wait thirty years for that." McPherson also slams the government for planning to reduce the HST to ten percent by 2014. "That two percent is revenues that should go to the government for health care." It would cost about 30 million dollars to equip and staff two shelled in floors at the top of the new Polson Tower, providing 60 more beds. MLA Eric Foster has said he continues to lobby the Health Minister for the money, saying it's a matter of when, not if. McPherson was hobbling around with the help of a cane, after recently having surgery on her foot after falling. Vernon Mayor Wayne Lippert also spoke at the rally. "We need to look at ways to get people through the hospital quicker and more efficiently, but most importantly that we have to look after the community's needs." 
Lippert drew applause when he mentioned city council has passed a resolution supporting the funding for more beds. The hospital is funded for 146 acute care beds but is regularly over capacity.Photo: (L-R) Mayor Wayne Lippert, BC Nurses Union president Debra McPherson and BCNU regional chair Christine Sorensen at a rally Tuesday (P.McIntyre photos)
Second photo: Participants at Tuesday's rally outside VJH.
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