A pair of local MPs are offering up a unique invitation to federal leaders in Ottawa: come check out the hospital here before changing health care funding formulas.
NDP MPs Fin Donnelly (New Westminster - Coquitlam & Port Moody) and Peter Julian (Burnaby - New Westminster) say they're issuing a challenge to Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq to tour Royal Columbian Hospital.
The hospital - which serves the city of New Westminster as well as acute care for the region and province - recently made headlines for setting up overflow emergency ward beds in the lobby. Last March, the same hospital was forced to use the adjacent Tim Hortons shop, which is inside the hospital, for ER patients.
"The situation at Royal Columbian has now gone beyond hallway healthcare; obviously they've run out of hallways," said Donnelly. "I challenge the prime minister and federal health minister to visit Royal Columbian and see the situation first hand."
"Since the closure of St. Mary's hospital in New Westminster, Royal Columbian has taken on the overflow," added Julian. "We need real leadership from the federal government to address the challenges at Royal Columbian."
The pair note that premiers from across the country are in Victoria right now, discussing changes to the federal health transfers; in December, the Conservatives announced transfers would continue to increase by a set percentage through 2017, but then would be tied to inflation and economic growth, with a per capita funding formula.
Critics have said that the changes will lead to decreased funding.
Last month, Donnelly and Julian joined BC NDP Leader Adrian Dix and local MLAs for a tour of the hospital.
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