Questions arise over tower

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star - May 11, 2008

There are still considerable unknowns about an $81 million expansion at Vernon Jubilee Hospital.

The Interior Health Authority has identified Infusion Health as the preferred proponent to design, build, finance and maintain a diagnostic and treatment tower. But it’s not been determined if the project will include space for new acute care beds or equipment such as an MRI.

Joanne Konnert, IHA’s chief operating officer, says discussions about extra space will be part of negotiations with Infusion, as well as with the North Okanagan-Columbia-Shuswap Regional Hospital District.

“Also, when we move these programs (into the tower), we will free space up for in-patient use in the existing facility.”

Physicians have been pushing for another floor to be added to the tower to allow for more acute care beds.

“Now that we have a company that they’re negotiating with, hopefully the process can continue where the physicians have direct input,” said Dr. Chris Cunningham, president of medical staff.

Besides physical space, the other unknown deals with maintenance staff and where their jobs will be privatized.

“It will be part of the negotiations. We need to understand the costs of what that would look like,” said Konnert.

The prospect of a corporation managing the tower has raised concerns among VJH staff, especially those in maintenance.

“The property was donated by Samuel Polson for the citizens of the North Okanagan and not for private enterprise,” said Jeet Dukhia, chief engineer.

Dukhia says public/private partnerships in other areas have been more costly than traditional methods.

“The project hasn’t even started yet and they’ve spent a huge amount of money on legal costs. That could have gone to patient care.”

Vic Schrauwen, assistant chief engineer, is concerned that any company that enters into a partnership agreement will be focused on making a profit and that could lead to service cuts.

“We won’t own that building for 30 years and people aren’t aware of it,” he said.

Infusion Health was selected for further negotiations after IHA issued a call for proposals. Two other companies had also presented proposals.

The Infusion Health consortium includes Bilfinger Berger, John Laing Infrastructure, Graham Construction, Stantec and Black and McDonald.

It’s anticipated negotiations will continue until the end of summer, and Konnert is confident an agreement can be reached.

“We are one step closer to getting a new tower in Vernon which we really need,” she said.

Construction could begin this fall, and the goal is to have the tower completed by late 2010.

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Questions arise over tower

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