“IT’S TIME FOR CAMPBELL TO STOP IMPOSING SINGLE HOSPITAL,”
TREVENA SAYS FOLLOWING HOSPITAL BOARD REJECTION"

Following today’s rejection by the local hospital board, North Island MLA Claire Trevena said it’s time for the Campbell government to stop trying to impose its plan to replace the existing hospitals in Comox Valley and Campbell River with a single regional facility.

“With this decision, the Campbell government should finally agree to respect the wishes of the people of North Island and Comox Valley,” Trevena said, noting that last fall she presented the government with petition signed by about 19,000 residents who opposed the single-hospital plan.

She noted that a regional district committee of health professionals struck to consider site options was not able to reach consensus late last year.

“The message could not be clearer: North islanders want their existing hospitals maintained in their own communities,” Trevena said. “I’m meeting with the health minister later this month and that is the message I plan to deliver to him.”

She said the New Democrats will continue to fight for high quality, public health care for everyone in the North Island, and will continue to push for the upgrading of the two hospitals. She also encouraged Comox Valley MLA Stan Hagen, who sits at Campbell’s cabinet table, to listen to the people of Comox Valley and North Island and use his influence to stop the plan to close the existing hospitals.

“I can’t understand why Mr. Hagen won’t stand up for his constituents on this crucial matter,” she said. “Let’s try to get past partisan politics and do what’s best for our communities.”