Health Care Concerns Aired

Having to wait longer to get health care was one of the most common concerns expressed at a forum put on by the BC New Democrats in Vernon.

The party’s health critic Judy Darcy says over 50 people took in the event Monday night at the Best Western Pacific Inn, which also included party leader John Horgan.

“I think what I heard most was people are waiting too long for health care, whether it’s to get a family doctor, waiting too long for surgery, and waiting too long to get quality seniors care for their parents,” Darcy tells kiss FM.

Darcy says affordability was the other key issue.

“We have a health care system that is supposed to be universal and accessible, yet people are paying more out of pocket for rising MSP costs, having to pay for physiotherapy, you name it.”

Darcy says they also heard about deteriorating care for seniors.

“Six out of six care homes in the Vernon area aren’t meeting the government’s own standards of care due to under funding by the provincial government,” says Darcy, the MLA for New Westminster.

Darcy says an NDP government would invest more money into seniors care.

Kiss FM contacted Vernon Monashee Liberal MLA Eric Foster for his reaction to Darcy’s comment about local seniors care.

“The response to that is we are working at it and we have increased funding. We recognize there is a problem and we are working at it,” said Foster.

Darcy says the Vernon seniors home information comes from the Senior’s Advocate report that said nine out of ten care homes in BC aren’t meeting the standards, which was broken down facility by facility.

Darcy says quality seniors care and shorter wait times will be part of their election campaign.

BC holds its election May 9.

Click here to read the Residential Care Facilities Report.

Photo: Judy Darcy, NDP health spokesperson, MLA New Westminster.