Even after the super-clean was ordered at Burnaby – in the wake of a C. difficile outbreak that doctors related to 86 deaths – that hospital failed a cleanliness audit just days after the cleaning was complete.

“Senior doctors at Burnaby Hospital, including department heads, said systemic problem related to cleaning were a significant factor in the C. difficile outbreak,” said New Democrat deputy health critic Sue Hammell. “A rushed spring cleaning at the hospital can’t possibly overcome those systemic problems.

“So if there are similar systemic problems at Surrey Memorial, a super-clean will not fix them.

“Patients should be able to trust that their hospitals are clean and safe, yet in the wake of C. difficile outbreaks at Burnaby and then at Royal Columbian, British Columbians are left to worry that they will leave the hospital sicker than when they went in.”

Surrey Memorial is due for the super-clean to begin Monday and run through mid-May.

“The super-clean tends to draw cleaning staff from other hospitals in the region, which only risks spreading the problem with substandard cleaning to other hospitals,” said Hammell. “They’re really only chasing the problem from one hospital to another.”

Hammell, along with New Democrat health critic Mike Farnworth, raised the issue in question period last week, asking for the minister to order an immediate investigation into the systemic problems at Burnaby, including whether those problems exist at other hospitals. Hammell said Health Minister Mike de Jong continued the pattern of attempting to minimize the problem.

Hammell, who is the MLA for Surrey-Green Timbers, said Surrey Memorial’s prominent role in the Fraser Health region means it should not be left to the whim of the authority to ensure that proper cleaning is done.

“Adrian Dix and the New Democrats have been calling for months for the health minister to ensure that effective cleaning was taking place at all hospitals,” said Hammell. “Patients deserve better. They deserve to have confidence that their hospital is clean at all times, not just after a so-called super-clean.”

Hallway medicine will continue to be a problem at Royal Columbian Hospital until the Liberal government fixes the systemic problems they have created, say the New Democrats.

Patients were finally being moved out of the foyer of the hospital Wednesday, but deputy health critic Sue Hammell said the systemic problems remain.

“There are simply not enough beds in Fraser Health, and the Liberals have known about this for years,” said Hammell, the MLA for Surrey-Green Timbers. “As far back as 2007, Fraser Health acknowledged that they needed 740 new beds by 2010, yet the Liberals continue to drag their feet.

“Overcrowding led to patients being treated at Tim Hortons’ last spring, and now patients are left languishing in the hospital lobby. British Columbians expect and deserve better health care than the Liberals have been providing.”

It’s been more than two years since the Ministry of Health received a report from Fraser Health outlining a concept for expansion of Royal Columbian Hospital. Hammell said Health Minister Mike de Jong needs to explain why it’s taking so long for action.

“The only action this government has taken is to edit their internal service plans to delete the mention of the requirement for additional beds,” said Hammell.

“This crisis may have passed, but it’s only a matter of time before the next one occurs. That’s the fault of a Liberal government that has ignored the needs of patients in the Fraser Health region.”

Adrian Dix and the New Democrats believe in a strong public health care system that meets the needs of all British Columbians.

Our office will be closed from Thursday Dec 22 reopening on Tuesday Jan 3rd, 2012.

Sue Hammell, MLA for Surrey-Green Timbers, celebrated the Christmas holidays by hosting her annual Christmas Open House. Over 250 people packed her constituency office to enjoy the holiday festivities.

“Everyone appeared to have had a fabulous time,” stated Hammell. “Children, and kids at heart, had a chance to decorate ornaments, we all sang Christmas carols, Santa Claus made a visit – it was a wonderful time.”

Adrian Dix, Leader of the Official Opposition, also made a visit along with his wife Renee.

“I was absolutely thrilled Adrian took time out of his schedule to help celebrate with such a diverse group of people,” said Hammell. “We had folks from many cultures come together to celebrate the Christmas holidays. I have hosted many open houses over my career and this year we had the most people and collected the most amount of food for the Surrey Food Bank and Surrey Christmas Bureau.”

The biggest hit of the evening was a large snowman greeting everyone as they entered the building.

“My staff and I went to the local skating arena and shoveled snow into my truck and brought it back to the office where we made a large snowman,” said Hammell. “It’s been a very green December this year, so we thought the surprise of a snowman would be a hit and it sure was – many people wanted their photo with Frosty.”

“2011 was a great year and I want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and all the best in 2012,” said Hammell. “Remember to celebrate responsibly during the holidays and please don’t drink and drive.”

You and your family are invited to join me for my annual Christmas Open House on Wednesday December 14th between 5:30pm-8:00pm at my office (#100-9030 King George Blvd in Surrey).

Come and enjoy a wonderful evening with family, friends and neighbhours. We will have snacks and refreshments, including a delicious home cooked turkey. Kids, and big kids at heart, can craft Christmas decorations while enjoying a visit from Santa, Christmas caroling and festive mehndi art.

Adrian Dix, Leader of the New Democrat Official Opposition, will be stopping by to help celebrate the Christmas holidays.

Plus, we have a big surprise to put everyone in the holiday spirit!

Don’t miss the fun starting at 5:30pm on Wednesday.

See you there!

Sue

P.S. My office has collection boxes for the Surrey Christmas Bureau and the Surrey Food Bank. Please consider bringing items to donate to these wonderful causes.