Plans are in the works to form a citizens' group to advocate for better health care in Delta.
Longtime resident and community activist Doug Massey, who was one of many members of the now defunct Save Delta Hospital Society, said it's once again time to show support for the hospital.
He was prompted to help several others organize an advocacy group, aimed at putting pressure on Fraser Health and the province, after doctors at the hospital made public their concerns about the level or urgent care patients receive due to the lack of a fully functioning surgical program. "A group of us met earlier this week and are making plans for a campaign that will launch next week," said Massey.
The Delta Hospital Medical Staff Association recently made public a myriad of problems patients face if they come for urgent surgical procedures, issues they wouldn't encounter if they went to any other hospital in the region.
The doctors have been describing the situation as "a crisis" and that the surgical program is in "imminent danger of imploding" because operating rooms aren't available for emergency surgeries 24 hours a day like at other hospitals.
In Delta, operating rooms close at 3 p.m., which means those who require urgent procedures are out of luck if they show up after hours or close to closing time. They have to be redirected to another hospital that has the space.
The community has been without an advocacy group on health care and hospital issues since the Delta Healthcare Association faded from the scene. In
2004, Fraser Health and others announced the formation of the community group that was supposed to meet regularly with the health authority. The group started with much optimism, but by 2008 it disappeared due to a lack of interest.
The association's origins came about earlier in the decade as the community was in an uproar over plans for major cuts at Delta Hospital, including overnight closure of the emergency ward. Two groups would emerge as a sounding board for the community - the Delta Health Coalition and Save Delta Hospital Society, the latter collecting a 31,000-name petition.
Delta council was also involved in the lobby efforts during that period, going so far as to put a referendum question on a civic election ballot to ask if citizens were willing to contribute to maintain services.
Fraser Health would go on to make cuts, including a full surgical program at the time, but backed off from closing the ER overnight.
In the years since, it's been a stream of nothing but good news coming from the health region. The hospital's acute status was restored and medical beds increased. Meanwhile, equipment was added and expansion was seen, thanks to the fundraising efforts of the Delta Hospital Foundation and Delta Hospital Auxiliary.
However, doctors who work in the hospital are now sounding the alarm over the level of care, warning of a potential "collapse of acute medical care for Delta residents."
The community needs to support these doctors who risk retribution from the health authority, Massey said.
"The voice of Delta has been strong on this issue for years and it is time to turn up the volume once again."
The doctors sent a letter to Health Minister Terry Lake this week outlining their concerns and citing several examples of patients having to go through unnecessary delays. They said they're pleased the minister has agreed to meet with them.
Delta South MLA Vicki Hunting said it's time Fraser Health considered the situation with an open mind. "The regional delivery of health care is complex at the best of times," Huntington said. "But when 31 doctors raise a red flag, the administration simply has to review the problem. Surely there is a compromise that will be cost effective and still satisfy Delta's medical staff and improve patient satisfaction."
