The New Democrats are again urging Health Minister George Abbott to just say “no” to Vancouver Island Health Authority plans to replace the Comox and Campbell River hospitals with a controversial regional hospital.

“This decision rests with the Minister, no matter how he tries to say it’s up to the Regional Hospital Board or the Vancouver Island Health Authority,” said Claire Trevena, North Island MLA.

“He’s the one who controls the budget and he’s the one who has ultimate responsibility for the health care of every person in B.C. – not just friends of the Campbell Liberals.”

Trevena, who tabled a petition with close to 19,000 signatures during the fall sitting of the Legislature, said that people in both Campbell River and Comox Valley have overwhelmingly rejected VIHA’s plan to replace the existing hospitals.

“Our communities have spoken loud and clear,” said Trevena. “If Gordon Campbell really cared about North Islanders, we would see meaningful health investments happening now at both hospitals instead of stalling and confusion.”

Abbott was quoted in a Campbell River newspaper at the New Year saying that the two hospital option had not been ruled out. That would mean investment in upgrading the Campbell River and District Hospital as well as Saint Joseph’s in Comox.

“It would have been a nice Christmas present for the thousands of people in the North Island and Comox Valley who want to see investment in our hospitals if the Minister had simply ruled out the one hospital idea,” said Trevena.

“But I am hopeful that he is listening to the medical communities, who don’t want a regional hospital, to the paramedics, who don’t want a regional hospital, and to the people in our communities, who don’t want a regional hospital.”

Trevena has written to the Minister, urging him to confirm his statements about maintaining and upgrading the two hospitals.