In December, Island Health submitted the concept plan to the Ministry of Health for a new Cowichan District Hospital. This is an important step and milestone in the journey towards seeing a much needed new facility for our valley. The next step is for the Health Minister to direct Island Health to move forward with a business plan – a detailed and in-depth plan that takes between 12 and 18 months to complete.
Last week I met with Alison Taylor and Aimee Sherwood of the Cowichan District Hospital Foundation. We discussed, among other things, the lack of announcement from the Ministry of Health about initiating a business plan. This announcement would set in motion the funds and commitment from the government to build our new hospital.
At my town hall last fall, we heard from hospital staff that morale and working conditions at the hospital are becoming unbearable. We heard staff is no longer able to provide care for people in the manner in which they’ve been trained. We heard from the public who recognize how distressed the staff is, and yet how exceptional the level of service is given the conditions in which these people work.
After my meeting with Alison and Aimee, I wrote this letter to the Minister asking him to respond. I look forward to sharing his response.
