Fraser Health has announced it will strengthen surgical services at Delta Hospital, but not everyone is convinced concerns raised about the program are being addressed.
On Wednesday, the health authority issued a lengthy press release outlining enhancements that will result in better care for patients and increased capacity for potential expansion of both the number and kind of surgical procedures.
The region says it's committed to continue "full funding" for the three operating rooms, while work is underway to open a pre-admission clinic where patients will be screened and assessed for their surgeries, an initiative that was previously announced.
The region also detailed the opening of a cast clinic early next year, another previously announced move, as well as the establishment of a formal short-stay/observation surgical area.
Health Minister Terry Lake, who met with doctors a few weeks ago to hear their concerns, said the actions to strengthen surgical services will help ensure Delta Hospital continues to be a top-performing community hospital.
MLA Vicki Huntington said the announcement sounds like good news for the hospital, while Delta North MLA Scott Hamilton said Fraser Health is sending a clear message it is committed to maintaining day surgical services at the hospital.
The press release also had a quote from Dr. Robert Shaw, president of the Delta Hospital Medical Staff Association, who said he was pleased Fraser Health was investing in surgical services and building capacity for the future.
Fraser Health made it clear the enhancements are aimed at day surgeries and the region is committed to exploring an expansion of the type and number of day surgical procedures at the facility, further enhancing its reputation as a centre of excellence in that area.
Rhonda Veldhoen, the hospital's executive director, told the Optimist the hospital already does some emergency procedures and the new beds could accommodate them until the patients go onto the surgical slate, but they're not meant for more extremely urgent cases that arrive.
"I know having been working with the surgeons and the anesthetists and the surgical program, they're very proud of the ambulatory services that they provide and they really want to strengthen that, so they were very pleased having an area those patients can go if required," she said.
The doctors at the hospital first raised concerns last fall about the surgical program, which they complained does not operate at the same level as other hospitals in the region.
Operating rooms in Delta close at 3 p.m., which means those who require emergency surgery after that time have to be transferred to another hospital.
The FHA stated Wednesday that data shows demand for emergency surgery in Delta is low and the hospital is well suited to support a high-quality scheduled surgical services program.
Friends of Delta Hospital's Doug Massey said the announcement seems confusing and he wonders whether the additions will actually address the concerns raised by doctors and members of the community when it comes to the level of emergency surgical care, adding Delta is entitled the same level offered at other hospitals.
Shaw told the Optimist that, in fact, getting the extra beds, equipment and staff training would be a good initial step.
"From our perspective, from the surgeons' perspective and from my perspective, this is the first time we've had any beds that are called surgical in any way in 10 years. The nurses will be trained to feel comfortable taking care of surgical patients again and we'll have 24-hour care for the surgical patients in the hospital."
Nicholas Wong, a spokesperson for Friends of Delta Hospital, said his group is happy doctors' concerns have been addressed and work is being done to improve surgical care at the hospital.
