FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BC Conservative Will Expand Nanaimo Regional General Hospital to Address Critical Healthcare Needs
“For far too long, David Eby and the BC NDP have ignored the healthcare crisis on Vancouver Island. Nanaimo Regional General Hospital is bursting at the seams, regularly operating at 120% capacity, yet this government has done nothing more than offer vague promises. We can’t afford to wait another decade for real solutions while people are treated in storage closets.”- John Rustad Leader of the Conservative Party of British Columbia
October 15, Nanaimo: John Rustad, Leader of the Conservative Party of British Columbia announced today that if elected a Conservative government would expand the Nanaimo Regional General Hospital (NRGH) to meet the growing healthcare needs of Vancouver Island’s Central and Northern regions. Rustad emphasized the need for the construction of a new patient tower and the installation of a much-needed catheterization lab (cath lab), crucial to improving care for heart disease patients.
Currently, there are only two cath labs on Vancouver Island, both located in Victoria. This leaves patients in Central and Northern Vancouver Island without timely access to essential cardiac care. “People with heart disease in Nanaimo and surrounding areas are forced to travel to Victoria or the mainland to receive lifesaving treatment. This is unacceptable for a region that serves over 460,000 people,” said Rustad.
Investing in Healthcare
The new patient tower at NRGH would not only provide much-needed bed capacity, increasing the total to 600, but also function as a state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment center. The project, expected to take approximately 8-10 years to complete and cost an estimated $2 billion, would relieve some of the hospital’s long-standing infrastructure challenges, including the use of closets and storage areas for patient care due to overcrowding.
“Under the BC NDP, we’ve seen countless delays, empty announcements, and no real action to solve the healthcare crisis on Vancouver Island. David Eby talks a big game, but when it comes to delivering for Nanaimo, he’s nowhere to be found,” Rustad continued.
Despite public calls for a cath lab to be included in the new tower, there has been confusion over whether it will be part of the project. A recent cath lab constructed at Windsor Regional Hospital cost $31 million, giving some indication of the potential investment needed. “The people of Central and Northern Vancouver Island should not be left behind when it comes to accessing critical heart care. A cath lab at NRGH is a necessity, not an option,” Rustad stated.
The BC Conservative Party is committed to working with healthcare professionals and regional leaders to ensure that the expansion of NRGH is prioritized and fully funded. Rustad emphasized the need to move beyond discussions and deliver concrete plans for the hospital’s much-needed upgrades.
Delivering for Nanaimo
“Our healthcare system is in crisis, and nowhere is this more evident than in Nanaimo. The people here deserve better. The expansion of Nanaimo Regional General Hospital must happen now—not ten years from now. We need a commitment from the provincial government to make this project a reality for the sake of our community’s health and future,” concluded Rustad.
The BC Conservative Party is committed to the expansion of NRGH, including the construction of a cath lab, to ensure residents of central and northern Vancouver Island can receive the care they need in a timely manner. Rustad challenged Premier Eby and his government to stop hiding behind bureaucracy and deliver real, tangible results.
“David Eby and the BC NDP have failed this region. They’ve failed the patients, they’ve failed the doctors, and they’ve failed the families of central and northern Vancouver Island. It’s time for a government that actually gets things done, and that’s exactly what BC Conservatives will deliver.”
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For more information, please contact [email protected]
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