Dear Editor
Why is Burnaby Hospital not good for your health? The hospital was initially built in 1952 with additions in 1973 and 1977. A 2013 seismic assessment review (Bush, Bohlmah & Partners) reported weak lateral systems prone to high risk of failure and deemed the buildings a priority for upgrade or decommissioning.
Burnaby Hospital reports a patient infection rate that is three to four times the national average. Surrey Memorial Hospital has 606 beds to serve 490,000 patients - Burnaby Hospital has 289 beds to serve 465,000 patients. In an effort to win votes (not improve health outcomes) Liberal MLAs Harry Bloy and Richard T. Lee, along with paid Liberal operatives created a committee that advised the Liberal government to announce plans to replace/upgrade the hospital. No such plans existed, and the report was exposed as a crass attempt to garner votes. The above-mentioned Burnaby Liberal MLAs were also part of the "quick wins" scheme to try and attract "ethnic" voters by having the premier apologize for the head tax on Chinese immigrants.
Burnaby Hospital is not good for your health because it has been neglected by our provincial government and one MLA who should be speaking out on behalf of citizens of Burnaby (Richard Lee) does not seem to appreciate that his first job is to represent the citizens of his riding.
Larry Myers, Burnaby
