KRISTINE WALKER: ‘Any “good news story” like the opening of a bridge and anything related to Vancouver Olympics has Gordon Campbell all over it’

CUT

VANCOUVER ISLAND HEALTH AUTHORITY

MANAGEMENT

NOT HEALTH CARE

 

So the Vancouver Island Health Authority must look at cutbacks in order to avoid a $45-million shortfall.

I hope that they make the decision to cut as far away from patient care as possible.

The Nanaimo-Ladysmith school board faced cutbacks again recently, promising the public to make the cuts “far away” from the classroom.  

They did so, with devastating results nevertheless, for students, including increased class sizes – again.

Of course, this is due to the Liberal government’s edict that school boards must submit a balanced budget, even though the government itself no longer feels compelled to do so.

Washing their hands of financial responsibility and difficult decision-making, the Liberals cleverly passed the buck to local school boards so trustees could make the unpopular, tough decisions.

(Note, however, any “good news story” like opening of a bridge and anything related to the Vancouver Olympics has Gordon Campbell all over it.)

If VIHA decides to make its cuts far away from patients, they could start with the salaries of the upper-level management, given recent reports on their compensation.

At the same time, we get reports on the lack of cleanliness at the Nanaimo Regional General Hospital, including a failure to properly disinfect the emergency department.

And anyone who has been to an emergency department recently knows that things have deteriorated, despite the best intentions of staff.

 

Kristine Walker

Ladysmith

 

[CCC reprint: Victoria Times Colonist, Friday, July 17, 2009, page A11]