Kelowna, CHBC News : Friday, December 16, 2011 12:37 PM
Doctors in the North Okanagan are once again sounding
the alarm over chronic overcrowding issues at Vernon Jubilee Hospital. They
say the new patient care tower has done nothing to address the problem
and the only solution is for the provincial government to step up with
funding for more beds. Dr. Chris Cunningham, a physician at VJH, says patient numbers are routinely around 160 and up; VJH has 148 beds. Cunningham says there is no question patient care is being compromised. “It is very difficult when they have delayed surgeries, delayed diagnostics and makeshift wards,” he said. Several nurses tell CHBC News staff morale is at an all-time low. There
are also rumours that IHA is considering closing four cardiac care beds
in the emergency department, a move doctors say would be catastrophic. IHA says the rumours have no basis and adds that more beds are on the way for the busy flu season. “We
have opened nine additional surgical beds to help with the flu season.
Everyone experiences that surge through the winter,” said Nancy Serwo of
Interior Health. According to doctors, the only real solution is
for the provincial government to step up and provide the necessary
funding to fill the top two floors of the new tower with more beds. “We
heard there might be an announcement,” said Cunningham. “Here are the
same problems, same capacity and patients are suffering. Let’s finish
the top two floors.” IHA officials say filling the top floors of
the tower is not the only solution: they are still looking for
alternatives to help ease patient congestion. Vernon-Monashee MLA
Eric Foster says he spoke with Health Minister Michael de Jong recently
and while there is no funding announcement forthcoming, he hopes to
hear some good news soon.
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