The Kootenay East Regional Hospital District (KERHD) has a new five-year financial plan, allocating funds to local healthcare operations and capital projects.
The plan includes a tax hike for all residents in the healthcare area.
“It works out to an additional $30 per household to further the projects in this budget and what’s coming in the future,” said David Wilks KERHD Board Chair.
“We’re responsible for 40 per cent of the capital projects and operational expenses.”
Wilks says having substantial reserve funds is important for the KERHD’s projects.
“We have to have the funding ready. As an example, should the Province or Interior Health find it in their wisdom that we need a new tower at the East Kootenay Regional Hospital (EKRH), that cost is going to be substantial, and we are going to be responsible for 40 per cent of it,” said Wilks.
“The tax increases that have been going on since I became Chair, I believe need to keep going on at $30 per household. If there’s one thing that I think people in the region will understand: if you want good healthcare, you need to pay for it. I know it’s a tough pill to swallow, but it has to be done.”
The KERHD budget includes $146,223 for planning the future replacement of the Elkford Health Centre and $2,000,000 toward upgrading the Kimberley Health Centre.
Wilks says the KERHD has several other large projects on the books for this year.
“We are really hopeful and excited for the oncology and renal projects to move forward. I think we have sold the province on a third floor for the building that will provide additional space for things to be moved out of the existing hospital so we can, hopefully at some point, expand the emergency department,” said Wilks.
“With the F.W. Green Home, Interior Health says that will move forward in June and we hope that’s exactly what happens. Those are two very big projects running simultaneously, so we hope everything runs smoothly.”
Despite receiving provincial and Interior Health funding, Wilks feels it was not enough to meet local healthcare needs.
“The province has to recognize they put themselves in this position in respect to the EKRH and its disrepair as a result of neglect for over 22 years,” said Wilks.
“One of these days, we’re going to have a major failure and it’s not going to be good for anyone. We have to fix things and make sure we give the best care possible to people in the most timely manner.”
Wilks says he will continue to advocate for increased funding from the provincial government and Interior Health.
“We can hardly get any communication from the province. When they and Interior Health get frustrated when I say we’re the forgotten corner of the province, then they can prove me wrong,” said Wilks.
“There are some really important projects that we need to discuss with the province and Interior Health to determine when they’re going to happen because we need to have our 40 per cent ready. For that to happen, we need a timeline.”
Wilks says the Interior Health and the provincial government providing a funding plan will help the KERHD’s budgeting process.
“I don’t know how we can impress upon the province and Interior Health to tell them they need to get their collective you-know-what together and give us a master plan,” said Wilks.
“Yeah, times are tough and we have uncertain challenges in the country as a result of what’s going on around the world, but that doesn’t mean healthcare stops. We need to get ready for things that are coming down the pipe.”
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