Administrative ranks have made the pitch for more beds at Vernon Jubilee Hospital.
Dr. David Arnold, VJH chief of medical staff, raised concerns about overcrowding and the need for acute care beds during Friday’s ceremony to mark the 100-day countdown to opening the new tower.
“It’s critical that we continue the progress,” said Arnold, who is paid by the Interior Health Authority as chief of medical staff.
“There are still needs and barriers to good patient care that must be addressed.”
VJH receives funding for 148 acute-care beds but that number is frequently surpassed. There were 181 patients June 13.
Listening to Arnold’s comments was MLA Eric Foster.
“I’m still lobbying hard,” said Foster when asked of the status of developing two shelled-in floors into acute care space.
Foster has met with Health Minister Michael de Jong and the next step is the Treasury Board.
“There are some areas that think we’ve had our share (of funding) so it will be a push,” said Foster.
It could cost $10 million to develop each of the shelled-in floors for use by patients, and then $10 million each annually to operate the floors.
Physicians and nurses have been campaigning for the two shelled-in floors to be developed.
“We’re hoping the public will continue to respond and request the beds,” said Dr. Ed Hardy, president of the VJH medical staff.
Congestion has led to surgeries being cancelled.
“If you need a hip replacement, you need to be admitted to recover after surgery, so if the beds are full, your surgery is cancelled,” said Hardy.
Hardy is concerned the $180 million investment in the new tower could be impacted by overcrowding.
“We could be looking at brand new operating rooms sitting idle because there are no beds to put patients in,” he said.
Dr. Michael Concannon, an emergency room physician, believes the government needs to act.
“The tower is a huge upgrade and win for the community but the work isn’t finished yet,” he said.
“We’re the worst hospital in the Interior Hospital Authority for overcapacity.”
Residents wanting to pressure the government can sign a petition at www.petitiononlinecanada.com/petition/vjh-purple-ribbon-campaign-petition/136.
