Editor:
Re: Different view of hospital, Murphy's Law, March 4
The commitment to the Delta Hospital from this community is admirable. Your recent editorial about the hospital being part of a larger system and network raises a good point.
The question becomes: How do we determine the health care needs of our community? And then who allocates resources to attend to those needs?
There has been much in the news recently about the increasing demands for care and support of persons dealing with mental illness. Police forces all over the Lower Mainland have identified that as being responsible for an increase in the number of calls and the requirement for their officers to have further training.
As a church pastor and someone involved in our local community, I know the reality of persons and families struggling with mental health issues and also the pressure on the existing resources to provide help and support. It takes some time to get counselling. Specialized services are not always available. Delta Hospital is a prime example. The ER is not equipped to deal with persons arriving with mental health issues.
Having personnel resources at our hospital as well as space for people in crisis to stay in their community and receive support for family and friends is, I believe, more important than 24/7 surgical services.
If I had to choose, I'd rather go to another hospital for surgery than go to a hospital out of my community for the treatment of a mental health issue.
With further development in South Delta, which is coming along with malls and a new bridge, I can't help but believe the demand for mental health support will only increase.
As the baby boomers (like me) age, not only will we need more support both in home care but also in residential care so that we can also stay connected to our communities. Often mental health issues are underdiagnosed in seniors and confused with issues of aging.
It's good to support our hospital and thanks to those who fought to keep it and who support it in various ways. The conversation, though, needs to be larger and move beyond 24/7 surgical care.
Major the Rev.
Jim Short
Ladner United Church
