Cat scans cost $100,000 and have a short shelf life. MRIs cost $3,000,000 and have a short shelf life. As well, these machines require a high level of expensive maintenance. Staffing costs are approximately $100,000 to $250,000 per year. The availability of qualified staff is very limited.
With more nursing home beds and a small palliative unit, we would free up the NRGH active treatment beds. This would also be an asset to many senior partners living in Oceanside as a lot of these partners require rides to see their loved ones.
If you lived in West Vancouver and had to go to Vancouver General for cancer treatments or other needs; the drive is a traumatic experience compared to our easy jaunt to NRGH.
Pat Nease
Parksville