Editor:
Thirty-eight years ago in 1977 Delta Hospital was built complete with 25 surgical beds and an intensive care unit, which operated 24/7 until 2003.
From 2003 to today, we have none, nor do we have 24/7 emergency surgical services because the government felt we could be better served by other regional hospitals, miles away.
Health Minister Terry Lake feels the same way today and stated so in the legislature last week.
This factor has put the people living and working in Delta and the Tsawwassen First Nation at risk to mortality and extended injury because patients can't get the necessary emergency surgical care needed in a timely fashion.
MLA Vicki Huntington raised the issue in the legislature last week that Delta, the TFN, over 60 medical doctors and an 8.000-name petition are requesting that 24-hour surgical services be restored at Delta Hospital.
There is to be a public meeting at the South Delta Recreation Centre in Tsawwassen on May 9 at 2 p.m. where the doctors of Delta Hospital will further explain the situation and seek your support in convincing Lake that we need the services required to properly serve the people of Delta and the Tsawwassen First Nation.
Douglas George Massey
