Recently, residents of Kelowna and the Central Okanagan were shocked to learn that the pediatric unit at Kelowna General Hospital would be closing almost immediately – for six weeks. Not only were families stunned, but many doctors and hospital staff also learned of the closure through the media. As the news sank in, families across the region were left asking: What does this mean for Kelowna parents?
If your child were to fall ill, you could still go to the ER as usual. However, if admission was required, a transfer to another hospital would likely be necessary. But where would your child be transferred? Would the transfer be done safely? Where would your child’s support people stay once there? These are questions no parent should have to ask in the middle of a health crisis – questions that didn’t need to exist in the first place.
Then came the next blow: news that the maternity ward is also at risk – facing potential collapse. What!? Soon after, 130 doctors signed a letter declaring that the situation is unprecedented for a hospital of this size. So, where were the warning signs? How were they missed? This didn’t happen overnight.
There were concerns – raised for years – and they were ignored. Doctors and nurses asked questions. They were silenced. Patient transporters have been requesting proper training for pediatric transfers for the past five years – and continue to do so today. Will they finally receive the training that ensures the safety of our most vulnerable, smallest patients? I have spoken directly with the Minister of Health on this matter, and she has assured me she will address it.
Let me be clear: I am outraged – and I believe you should be too. We should all be infuriated that this was allowed to happen. And then we must channel that outrage into action.
I am furious that the warning signs were there for years and ignored – until the situation reached a crisis point.
When doctors began speaking out almost a decade ago about burnout and staff shortages, a real plan should have been developed – for recruitment, fair staffing ratios, proper breaks, and mental health supports.
When patients and their families raised concerns, government and health authorities should have listened – and responded with action.
Instead, our hospitals are over capacity, our hallways are lined with makeshift beds, and our healthcare workers are overwhelmed and exhausted. In many ERs, wait times now exceed a full workday.
So what can be done?
Write your MLA. Write the Minister of Health. Ask them to listen to our doctors. Ask them to implement the changes doctors and nurses have been calling for. Speak up. Do not stay silent. This government – and our health authorities – need your voice and your pressure.
I’ll end by asking the same two questions I ask myself. These questions are what keep me speaking out whenever I see injustice:
If not now, then when?
If not you, then who?
As always, I welcome your comments, feedback, and ideas. Please reach out to me at Kristina.Loewen.MLA@leg.bc.ca.
Source Kelowna Now
