Healthcare is waiting to get a boost in all areas north of the Malahat, and two organizations say it’s time for the provincial government to honour their election promise.
According to the Fair Care Alliance, premier David Eby made a substantial promise in October saying if he was re-elected to office then ‘work would begin immediately’ on a new patient tower and cardiac catheterization lab at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital (NRGH).
NRHD board chair Janice Perrino says in a letter addressed to Eby the money is being fronted for the initial step, but the province needs to keep their promise and step in with additional funding.
“We’re formally requesting that the province approve the concept plan and proceed with business planning in 2025-2026,” she says. “The Nanaimo Regional Hospital District (NRHD) is prepared to fully fund this stage to avoid further delays.”
According to the Fair Care Alliance, healthcare has been lacking north of Victoria and none of Eby’s promises have come through.
During the election last year in October, Eby stated that he knows the priority in healthcare exists and people need these services which is why he campaigned on making it a priority as soon as the election was over.
“We’ll be beginning the planning immediately with the doctors and nurses of the hospital,” he said. “This is called the Business Development Plan Process, and will plan out all the services, how that will all integrate and make sure that it works for the people of Nanaimo.
“I can’t wait to get started on it, I know it’s a priority for the people who live here.”
Chair of the Fair Care Alliance Donna Hais says the hospital has stepped up, and now the province needs to.
“With NRHD stepping up to fund the business plan, there is no financial barrier moving forward,” she says. “The question now is, what’s causing the delay?”
The Fair Care Alliance has been advocating for the need to expand healthcare to all residents living in Central and North Island communities especially since they say anyone requiring life-saving treatment must be transferred to Victoria or Vancouver.
