A British Columbia woman has written an open letter to Health Minister Adrian Dix, who has been highly critical of the province’s health care system.
Christine Logan was inspired to write this letter. onlineAfter being diagnosed with cancer and receiving life-saving treatment in the US
She said that after her diagnosis, she initially waited weeks to receive treatment, but no treatment was available. A Campbell River mother is battling stage 4 ovarian cancer.
Logan was diagnosed in September, about six months after she started reporting symptoms to her doctor.
She said her doctor ordered her chemotherapy, but was told a few weeks later that there was no record of her being referred for chemotherapy.
Logan, a dual citizen and former U.S. Air Force veteran, has been able to receive treatment in Washington state for the past few months, which she believes is keeping her alive.
“I wouldn’t be having this conversation with you, and I definitely wouldn’t be here anymore,” she said. “This cancer is deadly.”
She is calling for immediate changes to B.C.’s public health system and service delivery.
“Our health care system isn’t tripping over small hurdles. It’s falling off a cliff. We’re not dealing with the ‘occasional mistake.’ “We are battling a chronically sick system where inefficiency and neglect are common,” she wrote.
“I’m sounding the alarm because I know I’m not the only one whose life is at risk because of systemic problems.”
Mr Logan went on to point out the government’s major failings include waiting times for hospitals and surgeries, a shortage of GPs and delays in seeing specialists.
“These are not just inconvenient delays; these are life-altering, sometimes life-ending delays that go far beyond what doctors would consider reasonable wait times,” Logan said.
Since going public, Logan said she has been contacted by other British Columbians who have experienced similar situations with the province’s health care system.
“I’ve been inundated with stories from people whose lives have been forever changed by the systems that are supposed to heal and protect B.C. residents. Of pain, neglect, worsening outcomes and, sadly, unnecessary losses. Stories. These are not just anecdotes. They are evidence of a system in crisis,” Logan said in the letter.
“We need ministries and agencies to heed the warnings from experts that the medical system cannot keep up and take proactive action.”
B.C. Premier David Eby responded to the letter Thursday, acknowledging that B.C.’s cancer care system needs work.
Eby said the province’s goal is to have the best care in Canada, if not the world.
“And we’re not there. We’ve had to go to the United States and maintain private clinics to provide cancer treatment to people, but we don’t have to do that, but we’re not there. “We took that step to ensure Lee could receive treatment,” he said.
Eby said Health Minister Adrian Dix is leading an “important” effort to restructure and reform the BC Cancer Agency and hire radiology technicians. He also pointed to efforts to open new cancer centers in Kamloops and Nanaimo, as well as increased funding for Hope Air for people who need to travel for cancer treatment.
“We know there is still a lot of work to be done when it comes to cancer treatment. We are not satisfied with the results, but we will continue to bring that treatment to people,” he said.
Receiving aid in the United States creates a financial burden for the Logan family. GoFundMe campaign.
Back in February, the British Columbia government announced a massive investment of $440 million over 10 years in a new cancer control plan.
This plan focuses on immediate actions to improve and strengthen cancer care in the state.
$170 million of the investment will go to the BC Cancer Foundation to support cancer research and attract skilled cancer care providers to provide specialized treatment.
Here are the immediate actions the state announced it will take:
- Expanding publicly funded human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine program across British Columbia
- Investing in two additional PET/CT scanners for a total of four (two in the Lower Mainland, one in Victoria, and one in Kelowna).
- Investing $66 million to begin early adoption of team-based care, hire additional physicians with focus on medical oncology recruitment, and add additional Indigenous patient support positions
- Started trial operation of at-home HPV test to screen for cervical cancer
- Creation of a lung cancer screening program to improve screening access for high-risk populations
- 10-Point Youth Vaping State Action Plan
The government has announced that it will expand testing for cervical cancer, lung cancer and hereditary cancers over the next three years. It will also ramp up vaccination efforts to “eradicate cancer caused by HPV and expand at-home screening tests for cervical cancer.”
— With files from Catherine Urquhart and Simon Little
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