VANCOUVER – A leaked copy of the Fraser Health Authority Service Plan for 2007/08 confirms service cuts, longer waitlists and new taxes for the sick as a result of Campbell government under-funding, New Democrat Health Critic Adrian Dix and Finance Critic Bruce Ralston said today.

“The Service Plan for Fraser Health, obtained by the Opposition, is an explosive Adrian Dixadmission of the real troubles the Campbell government has inflicted on the region,” said Dix, the MLA for Vancouver-Kingsway. “Fraser Health is in deep trouble, but the Minister of Health continues to hide the facts.”

Dix said that the Health Minister has had this document for two months already, but has failed to approve it. “It is no wonder the Minister is hiding this from the public. This document is a clear warning to the Health Minister and the Premier about the impacts of restricted resources. Even the Chair of the Fraser Health Board is blunt in his assessment of the crisis facing the region.”

In the opening letter of the Service Plan, Authority Chair Gordon Barefoot states, “TheBruce Ralston risks and likely impacts of this plan are significant. The lack of current capacity in Acute Care as well as delay in the growth of community services will continue to manifest as emergency department congestion, delays and cancellations of surgical and diagnostic procedures, medical units operating at overcapacity, and delays in rehabilitation and access to community services.”

“The Service Plan points to a $65 million shortfall,” said Dix. “And as a result, it offers no plan to increase acute care capacity, admits delays on vital capital building projects, restricts services, and oversees millions of dollars in cuts – all because the government refuses to ensure our public health care system can meet the needs of the region.”

Dix highlighted the proposal to implement co-payments for home support clients as a means of generating more revenue. “New charges for seniors who need help – that is the Premier’s plan for health care in the Fraser region.”

New Democrat Finance Critic Bruce Ralston also raised concerns over the 2007/08 Service Plan. “This budget is smoke and mirrors,” said Ralston, the MLA for Surrey-Whalley. “There are major initiatives in the plan that have been deferred and others that assume government funding will be forthcoming – funding that the government has never committed to.

“It is not a truly balanced budget. It offers no assurances for the long-term and offers no comfort to the patients in the Fraser region who rely on our public health care system every day,” said Ralston.

Adrian Dix

Vancouver-Kingsway

Adrian Dix was elected leader of the BC New Democrats in April 2011.

Bruce Ralston

Surrey-Whalley

Bruce Ralston was re-elected as the MLA for Surrey - Whalley on May 12, 2009. He was first elected to the Legislature in 2005.