Nanaimo-Lantzville's MLA is stressing to his government's health minister the need for a cardiac cath lab and new patient tower at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital.
MLA George Anderson's letter to B.C. Health Minister Josie Osborne was addressed in the spring and posted to social media last week. It was also sent to B.C. Infrastructure Minister Bowinn Ma and Nanaimo Regional Hospital District chairperson Janice Perrino.
In the 2024 election, the B.C. NDP promised a patient tower for NRGH, though not a cardiac catheterization lab which has been advocated for by community stakeholders. Currently, the patient tower is in the project planning stage, otherwise known as a concept plan.
"During the campaign, I heard from many voters about the disparity in care between the south Island and central/north Island," Anderson wrote. "These concerns were front and centre. Constituents were excited when the premier announced a new patient tower in Nanaimo, and now, as the elected MLA for Nanaimo-Lantzville, I consider it a top priority to support your efforts to make this project a reality."
Anderson drew attention to the Nanaimo Regional Hospital District board's correspondence with the province government earlier this year when it offered to front the cost of business plans for the patient tower and cardiac cath lab and urged the province to approve a concept plan for the patient tower and proceed with the business planning stage in 2025 or 2026.
"While I recognize the current fiscal pressures, I believe this commitment presents an opportunity to advance the project," Anderson continued. "In addition, establishing a catheterization lab at NRGH would significantly improve health outcomes across the central Island – currently the largest region in Canada without such a facility."
The MLA said that the cath lab, combined with the hospital tower, would strengthen health care in central Vancouver Island and contribute to the region's economy through construction and health-care career opportunities.
He praised the health investments in the region made by the provincial government in recent years, including the new Nanaimo Urgent and Primary Care Centre, the proposed Lantzville long-term care facility and the forthcoming Nanaimo cancer centre.
In an interview with the News Bulletin, Anderson said making the letter public was a way to show people what is going on behind the scenes.
"Our government has been focused on making sure that people have access to things like health care where they need it, when they need it and I'm fortunate to be able to have a good relationship with everyone," Anderson said. "This is just another means of being able to communicate with the community and help the minister and supporting her mandate in whichever way I can, but letting the ministers know this is a priority in the community."
Anderson said a meeting is being scheduled that will involve himself, Osborne and Ma to discuss the region's health care services.
The correspondence can be viewed on Anderson's Facebook page at http://facebook.com/share/p/16aMiaMN3A.
