A couple of weeks ago VCI commenter Corrupt in Canada linked to a story over at VanCityBuzz reporting that BC NDP MLA Spencer Chandra-Herbert was upset the provincial government was on the verge of reneging its promise to revitalize and expand St. Paul’s Hospital.
Three years ago Premiere Christy Clark pledged half a billion dollars to improve the hospital, but nothing has been done to this date.
In the original article VanCity Buzz reached out to the BC Ministry of Health who had this response:
Government remains firmly committed to revitalizing St. Paul’s Hospital. St. Paul’s Hospital is an important part of the network of hospitals in the Lower Mainland, serving a large and growing population from downtown Vancouver, and from across the region. We are continuing to work with Providence Healthcare on the best way to revitalize the hospital for the communities it serves. We must make sure that this fits within the future long term vision of health care in the region and across the province, focusing on more comprehensive community services and a partnership between Lower Mainland hospitals.
We must also ensure that St. Paul’s Hospital can continue to serve the community while the revitalization project is underway.
So we know that most of you will be utterly surprised that Providence Health Care just announced that St. Paul’s will be closed and a new facility will be built in East Van.
Shocked even!
The west end MLA took his disappointment over this announcement to twitter:
St. Paul’s Hospital proved it’s worth during the Stanley Cup riots. Viaduct, bridges, + Skytrain all closed. No way out of downtown. downtown Vancouver needs an emergency room, especially in an emergency. In an earthquake all exits out of downtown may be closed.
Of course there may be a much better use of the land the current hospital sits upon: CONDOS!
Plus new hospital in East Van just has to drive up property values there right?
Win-win.
