Cross-country trek
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Cyclists riding for female farmers
Riders host raffle
Local trio taking part in Cops for Cancer
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Vancouver Blue Retired officer writes about his experiences
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FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2015
Doctors present business case Restoring surgical services in Delta would be good for entire region, minister told at long-awaited meeting BY
hospital. Delta North MLA Scott Hamilton and Friends of Delta Hospital representative Gord Freeborn were also at the meeting. Freeborn, a retired Delta fire chief, and the doctors presented a document that outlined the efficiencies that would be gained in the system with a more complete surgical program in Delta. “We are asking for a fourbed short stay surgical unit to be added to Delta Hospital to
SANDOR GYARMATI
sgyarmati@delta-optimist.com
The case for a fully functioning surgical department at Delta Hospital was finally presented to those pulling the purse strings. A meeting that’s been in the works for more than three months took place Tuesday in Vancouver between Health Minister Terry Lake, Fraser Health CEO Michael Marchbank and doctors at the
that could be found enhance their capability through savings. to perform additional Freeborn said the sursurgeries. The facilities gical beds would allow exist, the doctors and Delta Hospital to perform surgeons are available a broader range of ambuand willing. There is latory and general surgical a compelling business procedures, dramatically case,” the document affecting surgical wait states. Terry Lake times in Fraser Health The cost for addiHealth minister while reducing costs. tional surgical beds, The list of benefits according to Freeborn, would be $1.2 million, an amount include better, more efficient
utilization of Delta Hospital’s surgeons, anesthesiologists, operating room nurses and ancillary surgical staff, as well as increasing the scope of surgical practice, resulting in reduced pressure on other already overloaded hospitals. Noting there’s still much work to be done to convince Fraser Health the numbers would add up to a more cost-effective system, See HOSPITAL page 3
May Days returns to Memorial
With a May Queen selected Tuesday night, the 119th edition of Ladner Pioneer May Days is set to get underway this afternoon in Memorial Park. The fastball tournament and midway open today, with the rest of the activities starting tomorrow. Saturday and Sunday will feature live music, craft fair, petting zoo, pony rides, food vendors, beer garden and much more. The highlight of the fair, the colourful parade, begins at noon on Sunday. PHOTO BY
GORD GOBLE
This year’s May Queen, Halee Ethier (third from left), meets last year’s May Queen, Hannah Maihara (third from right), at a selection ceremony Tuesday at Kin House in Ladner. Also pictured are 2015 princesses Joelle Hamilton and Olivia McKenna along with 2014 princesses Kayt Bronton and Claire Creighton.
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