Kristina Loewen is the Conservative Party of BC MLA for the Kelowna Centre riding.

Photo Credit: ContributedKristina Loewen.

Crumbling care: The reality BC can’t ignore any longer

Healthcare is crumbling.

Every day there is a new story of a medical tragedy faced by a British Columbian.

Every day there are devastatingly frustrating situations and delays. 

We can speak with our friends, neighbours, and family members to hear the near unanimous stories that healthcare in BC needs help.

We can also listen directly to those on the frontlines. Lately, it seems that every other month a large group of doctors resigns, and others go public describing a workplace culture so toxic and draining in our hospitals and health authorities that it makes their jobs untenable. 

And yet, all we hear from those responsible, such as the NDP ministers in Victoria, is that they are doing all the right things.

In my recent op-ed, “When waiting becomes a death sentence,” we discussed the hard truths about our healthcare system. The bitter pill is that British Columbians often do not get the care that they pay for (and we do pay) when they need it. 

In May, 130 doctors wrote a letter highlighting critical burnout and workload challenges and calling for reform at the ministry and health authority levels. An additional seven doctors wrote a sobering letter about the dire state of maternity care in Kelowna in the same month.

Photo credit: 123RF

In July, the paediatric ward at KGH was closed for two months as only five of 20 community paediatricians would work in the hospital. 

In October, seven Kamloops OBGYNs resigned citing extreme physician burnout and four Vernon psychiatrists resigned. 

It is a troubling reality when our frontline healthcare workers are silenced and censored or subjected to violence in the workplace. 

At a recent town hall meeting in Kelowna, we heard firsthand stories of burnout, censorship, and a toxic work environment. We heard devastating stories from patients about their inability to access care. 

All attendees, from patients to medical professionals alike, were united in advocating for a simple goal – timely care for those who need it, in a safe environment.

However, when the frontline spoke up, I was disheartened to see that they were met with a culture that chastised the whistleblowers. One that sometimes disciplines those who simply are trying to advocate for their patients. Enough is enough. We need change now. Not deflections aimed at doctors, nurses, and patients.

First, we should be working towards solutions that allow greater access to healthcare options – diagnostics and treatment in a timely manner. Recently, my Conservative colleague, MLA Anna Kindy from North Island, brought forward a private members bill that would legislate the need for the medical system to be transparent with the patient on both the recommended wait time and the actual, real-life wait times. This would translate into much needed transparency and would expand access for patients to travel for care when appropriate. This bill aims to restore both trust in the system and patient dignity.

Second, we need to empower our frontline workers to deliver great care by providing a healthy workplace. One where nurses aren’t fearful of violence and where doctors can speak their minds and advocate for their patients without fear of government retaliation. 

Long-term, it is clear we do need more healthcare workers. We can train and attract people all day long, but if we cannot retain them, we will find ourselves in the same repeating pattern.

As your MLA, I will continue to advocate for the needs of patients, doctors, and nurses in Kelowna Centre and across British Columbia. I will continue advocating for a new path that will help heal our healthcare system. The NDP can no longer delay, distract, or deflect – the time to act is now.