Verge of collapse: Abbotsford surgeon says hospital conditions are unsafe – BC [Video]

More front–line physicians are speaking out about what they see as a crisis in some of B.C.’s busiest hospitals.

Dr. Greg Lewis, a vascular surgeon at Abbotsford Regional Hospital, described the situation there as being on the verge of collapse.

“Abbotsford Regional Hospital and Cancer Centre provides tertiary care to about 600,000 people from Langley through Hope and surrounding communities,” he said.

“We provide cancer agency care, including diagnostic radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgical care. We have advanced obstetric care for high-risk pregnancies with neonatal ICUs. It is the only dialysis site in this part of the Fraser Health. The only vascular surgical site providing repair of arteries. And we also provide advanced cardiology with pacemakers and diagnostic cardiology.”

Lewis said the hospital was bought about 15 years ago and was too small then.

“So we are now running to overcapacity and breakdown of services on the medical wards,” he said.

…