Dear Editor:
Health Minister Terry Lake and interim board chair of the Fraser Health Authority Wynne Powell have both been quoted recently saying that the outcome of the long-awaited Fraser Health review will not be released publicly as the findings are too "technical" and "too complex."
Patients, front-line staff and the Official Opposition have repeatedly called for public input as well as the public release of the review's findings.
On May 28, in response to my questioning, Minister Lake told the legislature that "there will not be a separate report on the review made public."
So it was very encouraging to hear Mr. Powell state last week that at least some aspects of the review will be released. Powell told CBC radio on June 10 that Fraser Health will be, "releasing as much data as we can because we want to be absolutely transparent about the results in regards to Fraser." This change should be applauded and lauded as a win for patients and the public as a whole who deserve nothing less than honesty and transparency on how Fraser Health will learn from its mistakes. It is a crucial first step in restoring confidence in the leadership of the troubled health authority.
Hopefully, the review will lead to specific action on wait times, emergency room congestion, and investment in seniors' care and community health.
Judy Darcy, MLA for New Westminster, Official Opposition Health Critic
