Cardiac Catheterization Lab

On August 8, it was my pleasure to be part of a special press conference to call upon the provincial government to recognize the need for improved cardiac care facilities at Nanaimo Regional Hospital. A group of community leaders spoke, including SFN Chief Wyse, Hospital Foundation Chair Tony Harris, Mayor Leonard Krog, Dr. David Coupland, and myself. The situation is dire. Our regional population has grown significantly, and we are the largest area of its kind in Canada without a cardiac catheterization lab where doctors can perform standard of care

cardiac procedures such as stent implants. Patients have to be shipped to Victoria to receive crucial treatments, and the time required for that is costing lives. As Chair of the Nanaimo Regional Hospital District Board, I spoke to the fact that our region would be required to pay 40% of the costs of any new hospital infrastructure. That money comes through taxation and borrowing. My message was that our Board recognizes the need for a cath lab here, and we are willing to pay our share. We call upon the provincial government to also recognize the need, and to commit to paying their share. We need this now, and will continue to advocate for it.