Latest cash injection should be used for home support services - George Heyman
Vancouver (26 Jan. 2007) - The Campbell government's latest plan to inject $885 million into health care illustrates the ad hoc, crisis-driven nature of the Liberals' management of the health care system, says George Heyman, president of the B.C. Government and Service Employees’ Union (BCGEU/NUPGE).
“Study after study has shown that long-term care beds and enhanced home support services are key solutions to help alleviate the crisis facing our acute care health services,” says Heyman.
“The public should not have to pay the price of ever-growing wait lists for service or potential operating room closures when study after study has shown many of these clients could be transferred to more cost-effective services, like home support,” he adds.
“Health authorities around the province should use the money allocated today to implement the home support services we need. Only last month the premier’s council on aging and senior’s issues called for a broader and more widely available home support system. The council’s report recognized that home support is a key part of the delivery of health care,” Heyman notes.
“Crucial public services like alcohol and drug treatment programs and mental health services face growing wait lists for their services and need immediate attention.”
Heyman is scheduled to meet with Health Minister George Abbott next month. He plans to raise these issues directly with the minister. NUPGE
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