As a new ICU for Nanaimo General Hospital is announced, one medical staffer says the current one is, “… the grossest in Canada”

It is extremely doubtful anyone in Nanaimo is going to complain about todays announcement from NDP Health Minister Adrian Dix -- including Liberal supporters through-out the region.  That said, news of a new intensive care unit (ICU) to be built at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital (NRGH) has raised suspicion, from at least a few people, as to the timing.

“Our government is proud to move forward with replacing

this out-of-date ICU” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health

This morning Health Minister Adrian Dix stated, “Our government is proud to move forward with replacing this out-of-date ICU”.

“Patients will be able to receive the high levels of care they require in a more modern facility, which will be three times the current unit’s size, and health-care workers will also be able to take advantage of updated medical technology to help save lives.”

The government media release stated that the need for a replacement of the aging ICU is something the community has called for over many years.  In 2013, an external review of three of Island Health’s tertiary ICUs called Nanaimo’s unit one of the worst in Canada, and a risk to patients.

A medical staff member, at Nanaimo General Hospital (NGH), pretty much echoed those same words as they stated to me that their ICU is, “… the grossest in Canada.”  They then went on to say that the people of Nanaimo had been asking the former Liberal government for a new one for ten years.

Which is why some, including at least one medical staff worker, said some in their community blame the former BC Liberal government for delays in having it replaced.

" when the BC Liberals built the new $38 million ER department, the ICU asked for a unit to be built above the ER.  It would have cost a fraction of what this (the new development) will cost because it would've been in the same building.  I think the number was $10 million at that time."

And that brings us around to a matter of timing for this announcement.  I have been told by one individual that … “the timing seems suspicious’.  Another said to me, “… even if it's a vote buy, no one cares because it's so bad they can’t keep docs or nurses …”

John Twigg, a journalist for many years, and Press Secretary to the late NDP Premier Dave Barrett said to me, “The timing IS suspicious. It also follows closely on a new opinion poll suggesting the contest in Nanaimo actually is close”.

Nanaimo resident Merv Unger, also a journalist and a former city councillor, had a different take on things, saying, “People don’t vote for something, they only vote against things. I don’t think announcements like this have much real impact, but I’m jaded”.

Regardless, more than one individual has informed me that decisions, such as the healthcare facility investment announced today, usually have a three to five-year capital plan – and the request for the new ICU only came in from Island Health a year ago (Oct 2017).  Another told me projects such as this took 4 plus years of planning … and still another indicated that the normal process is to

… do a concept plan. It then gets minister/treasury board and cabinet approval. From there a business plan is done … followed by … treasury board and cabinet approval to proceed with putting out the project for tenure and construction.

Regardless it seems the need has been there for some time now, as these words from medical staff at NGH indicated:

"It's desperately needed!  Walking into it, it's shocking seeing how horrible it is.  A pipe burst during heavy rains, and onto a patient … the plumbing has chronic sewer flies. "

They then continued, "There's very few beds for a large population.  People all over the island, from Duncan up, go to this ICU much of the time. This is good news for the island. The whole hospital needs to be knocked down".

That, the hospital being knocked down, won’t happen however.  What is coming however, is a new ICU to be located south of the current emergency department.

And the total cost? 

It will be just under $34 million, well over the proposed $10 million had it been built the same time as the ER.  And the projects $33.85 million will be shared between the provincial government through Island Health, the Nanaimo Regional Hospital District, and the Nanaimo and District Hospital Foundation.

There’s one thing, which I have not commented on yet … that is the up-coming by-election for the Nanaimo riding … which will soon need to be called by NDP Premier John Horgan. 

With Leonard Krog resigning as MLA, to become the Mayor of the city, that leaves the NDP in a precarious position should they not retain the seat.  It’s a position where their government could actually be defeated in the legislature, causing a province wide election to be called.

And that not inconceivable.  Mainstreet Research has the BC Liberals and BC NDP in a virtual tie for voter support.  The Liberals with Tony Harris as their candidate have just over 38% support, while the NDP’s Sheila Malcolmson sits at just under 40%

Those numbers are not lost on medical staff at Nanaimo General, when it comes to today’s ICU announcement;

“Yes, it’s a start”, I was told.  “But only because there’s a byelection. Nanaimo General Hospital has been ignored by successive governments, regardless of stripes.   We’ve got to capitalize on this."

Is there just a concept plan?  Is there a full business plan?  Will work on the building, expected to start in early 2020, actually get underway then?  And finally, will it be ready for patients in late 2021?

The key to answering all of those questions is likely not going to be known until residents of the community decide on whether to elect an NDP MLA, or to send the Liberals Tony Harris to the legislature.  That, will decide on who governs the province, and who gets to make the decisions.

Stay tuned … I think it’s going to be a bumpy ride.

I’m Alan Forseth in Kamloops.  If you have any thoughts on this commentary, please share them directly below in the Comments Section.