The Fraser Health Authority has an annual operating budget of $1.7 billion. In its effort to scapegoat former CEO Bob Smith, Provincial Health Minster Shirley Bond is talking about spending $28 million of the Authority's projected $35 million surplus on fixing problems at Surrey Memorial Hospital. She ignores her government's directive that health authorities must not run deficits. Unless health authorities can flip a penny and have it land on edge, they must aim for small surpluses. $35 million is just 2.1% of $1.7 billion. When you have to balance a budget, that is about as close as you can get with two months to go before fiscal year end.

Smith blew the whistle on the provincial government when he sent an email to staff advising that acceptable standards for the emergency room could not be met. Smith was President and CEO of the Capital District Health Authority of Nova Scotia. His previous assignments include President and CEO of Lions Gate Hospital in North Vancouver, BC, Deputy Director of the BC Cancer Agency, and Executive Director of the Arthritis Society in BC. He held numerous health leadership roles, including Chair of the Canadian Hospital Association, Chair of the BC Health Association, Director of the Health Administrators' Association of BC and Director of Continental Home Health Care Inc. He was a founding Director of the Canadian Telehealth Society and a Director of the Canadian Health Services Research Foundation, the Canadian Healthcare Association and Co-Chair of the Health Division of the United Way of the Lower Mainland. He is also the scapegoat of the Campbell government for its failure to deliver health care when and where you need it.

Carole James and her NDP caucus have called on the Campbell government to show progress in implementing the Cochrane Report. That report followed complaints of infections after caesareans at Surrey Memorial. This week 42-year-old Baljit Bains died after being discharged even though he was in extreme distress and had to be readmitted only to die two days later.

When Health Minister Shirley Bond was asked during legislative question period about conditions at Surrey Memorial and about the death of Mr. Bains, she responded with the arrogant attitude that has become the hallmark of the Campbell government. Rather than showing compassion and frustration at the state of "care" at Surrey Memorial, she boasted about the wonderful achievements of the Campbell government. Cynics say the medical establishment buries its mistakes. Politicians should act as advocates for the public rather than as apologists. Bond must take responsibility for the disasters at Surrey Memorial.