The ultimate decision on whether or not we should have a single regional hospital should be made by the public.
This from RDCK Area F Director Ron Mickel speaking at last week’s Hospital Board meeting .
He says with the 30 directors divided on a “single” versus the current “two site” model, the public must be engaged.
He says the directors who support a new hospital (likely to be built in Castlegar) do not represent the major population centres which are around Nelson and Trail.
Mickel adds if the two existing hospitals had a combined $150 million spent on renovations – which is what they need- that would still be a lot more affordable than the $400 million estimate for a new site.
Directors are pondering spending $40 million on upgrades to KBRH in Trail.