Health-care cracks at Royal Columbian Hospital: doctor

Just days after problems plaguing Surrey Memorial Hospital (SMH) surfaced, there are growing concerns about the state of health-care at another Fraser Health Authority (FHA) hospital in New Westminster.

Speaking anonymously to 1130 NewsRadio, one doctor at Royal Columbian Hospital says the issues facing physicians at SMH are not far off from what’s happening at the New West hospital.

Saying there is a severe lack of resources, nurses, and specialists, they add patients are waiting longer now, compared to previous years, to be seen by a doctor or for an appointment at the hospital, and that will likely get worse unless something changes.

“There are only so many doctors to go around,” said this doctor. “Stress is everywhere in the system. The limitation isn’t just seeing patients — it’s the resources and the lack of it.”

They add that some colleagues have considered leaving their jobs and the province, citing the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.

“It’s British Columbia. It’s one of the best places to live. I’ve talked to physicians and [the cost-of-living] is a deterrent.”

Some of the specialists in need, according to this doctor, include neurologists, radiologists, and geriatricians, who are key amid an aging population.

“It’s all supply and demand … and demand far outstrips the supply.”

This doctor also tells 1130 NewsRadio there needs to be more operating rooms and overall space. An expansion of the hospital is currently being built, but this doctor points out, that without proper staffing levels, it won’t be fully operational.

“A lot of us are concerned about the system.”

The doctor stresses there are a number of staff members who are working extra shifts to help keep the wheels turning, but that raises the fear of burnout.

This doctor isn’t sure how much longer this can continue without intervention from the B.C. government, which is being pushed to come up with a long-term plan, which also includes recruitment and retention of frontline healthcare workers.

Another solution suggested is opening a new medical school to help keep graduates in the province.

The concerns being raised are in line with a letter penned by emergency room doctors at SMH this week, which went into detail about the deteriorating conditions at the facility and how the workplace has become so “toxic” that it was discouraging doctors from showing up to work. The letter went on to say congestion and volume were worsening and called on the health minister and Fraser Health to step in.

On Wednesday, the provincial government announced new minimum nurse-to-patient ratios to help ease the burden in hospitals.

The following ratios will be implemented this fall for emergency departments:

*General emergency: one nurse to three patients (1:3)
*Short-stay observation: one nurse to four patients (1:4)
*Medical/surgical short stay: one nurse to four patients (1:4)
*Trauma: one nurse to one patient (1:1)
*Critical care: one nurse to one patient (1:1)
*Fast track: one nurse to four patients (1:4)

The government is also rolling out a new recruitment strategy, and expanded education and support for nurses, to help make the ratios possible.