The next provincial government will need to address challenges facing British Columbia's health care system.
Emergency room closures in Oliver, Merritt and other rural hospitals are happening frequently, and throughout the province, the pressures on the health care system are affecting patients, healthcare providers and communities.
In the lead-up to the Oct. 19 provincial election, leaders of the province鈥檚 major political parties have been addressing health care needs, and some of the independent and unaffiliated candidates are raising their concerns about providing adequate health care.
The B.C. New Democrats are promising to expand conditions pharmacists can test and prescribe for, and to get more qualified medical professionals back to work. The Conservatives have talked about offering care through public and non-government facilities, implementing a wait time guarantee and expanding programs to encourage doctors and nurses to work in high-need communities. The Greens are talking about establishing a network of community health centres across the province, to streamline complicated referrals.
These platforms are not the same, and each has a different emphasis.
No matter what the outcome of this election, the focus must be to provide efficient and effective health care to the people of British Columbia.
Health care is an issue affecting every person and every family. Wait times, emergency room closures, staffing shortages and other factors affecting health care are not partisan issues.
For voters, this means studying the plans and platforms presented by parties, and the suggestions from independent and unaffiliated candidates, in order to choose the best approach.
For those who are elected in the Oct. 19 election, it will also mean working together to come up with practical solutions.
When it comes to health care, the goal must be ensuring a solid quality of care for all. This must come before any partisan goals or ideological directions.
The needs of the people must come first.
鈥� Black Press
