Protesters rally at VJH Kelowna

 CHBC News : Monday, September 05, 2011 8:02 PM

Photo Credit: CHBC News , Jim Lenton

More than a 150 people rallied in Vernon on Monday to protest the loss of 60 potential extra acute care beds at Vernon Jubilee Hospital. With a new hospital tower set to open in less than a month, the two top floors still remain unfurnished and empty. Protesters believe the extra beds are desperately needed at the hospital. “He’s never needed the hospital but when he needed it, it wasn’t there for him,” said Margaret Chastkavich about her husband who suffered a seizure but had to wait for hours before being seen by a doctor. “The doctor that came out said I can’t properly assess your husband in a wheelchair and I don’t have a bed to put him in,” she said. The code purple campaign is pushing to bring back privacy and dignity to patients. One by one, people came forward and began donating whatever change they had in their pockets, from fistfuls of coins to $20 bills. To date, Vernon residents have raised $7 million for the hospital. In a written statement, B.C. health minister Mike de Jong said “The situation at Vernon Jubilee Hospital is being reviewed.”. Read it on Global News: CHBC Okanagan | Protesters rally at VJH