I do not take anything away from the importance of the pandemic and the difficulties in dealing with it. Unfortunately, there are other things that need dealing with such as a health care system in chaos.
The government’s tunnel vision on the pandemic has left over 18 per cent of B.C. residents without a family doctor and a much-reduced availability of health services to these individuals. I am tired of hearing Minister Health Minister Adrian Dix talk about how well they have handled surgeries. There are many people who have been waiting for surgeries for over a year.
Non-essential surgeries are being cancelled due to the pandemic. I would question how the minister is able to establish non-essential surgeries? With the exception of cosmetic surgeries, all surgeries are essential. Doctors would not prescribe surgery if it was non-essential.
If Minister Dix and Dr. Bonnie Henry have no time to address the health-care system, perhaps a committee should be struck to address it. The whole system could do with a forensic audit starting with all front-line employees. This should also include all the rich union contracts that contribute to our shortcomings. The health-care system was in chaos prior to the pandemic and is in an even more serious crisis now. Even the media has failed to recognize this as they have kept their heads buried in the pandemic.
The buck stops with you Premier Horgan, please start dealing with the crisis now as it is not going to get better on its own. Just throwing dollars at the system will accomplish nothing if you do not recognize the underlying causes. There is a reason we are not getting the doctors we need and other care providers including specialists. One must wait six months to a year to access some specialties.
Please start addressing this serious problem as B.C. residents are entitled to better access to health care. It is time for the NDP government to stand up and be held accountable for its actions (inaction).
Terry McLeod
Langford
