Editor:
It was standing room only for the meeting held on June 29 to consider the VCH plan to close Shorncliffe and Totem Lodge. There were many experienced and knowledgeable people in the audience and a consensus that giving the private sector responsibility for the care of seniors is a bad idea. I would suggest that several things must happen to persuade VCH and Health Minister Terry Lake to reconsider.
Firstly, some group or individual must become prime and drive a continuous and coordinated campaign. Individual letters to VCH and Lake will not produce the required result – divide and conquer! A Coast-wide petition is required, as this is not just an issue for Sechelt residents. All emotion must be set aside and facts, figures and case histories of private-sector failures in this field must be used. The Trellis Group and its history should be examined.
B.C. is deeply in debt. Victoria and VCH must cut costs wherever possible. Christy Clark and her team must try to pay down provincial debt, balance the budget, cut costs, and yet remain popular in this election year. The Sunshine Coast is at the bottom of the VCH priority list.
Who has the skills necessary to fight this one?
Paul Rhodes, Sechelt
