Victoria Plans New Pacemaker Insertion Room Amid Cardiology Waitlists

Island Health is developing plans to establish a room for pacemaker insertion in Victoria, aiming to alleviate the growing waitlist for cardiac procedures in the region. During a board meeting on December 3, 2023, Marko Peljhan, the vice-president of acute clinical operations and provincial programs at Island Health, addressed an inquiry regarding a proposed “cath lab procedure room” at Royal Jubilee Hospital. This proposal was featured in a draft report by KPMG, which has not yet been publicly released.

Peljhan confirmed that the report includes “expansion considerations for Victoria,” specifically mentioning the creation of a device room for pacemaker insertions. He emphasized that while the concept is under consideration, it has not received formal approval. “We’re aware of that and we’re working through an approach to be able to fund that, but it actually is not formally approved,” Peljhan stated.

The proposed room, located at the diagnostic and treatment centre that opened in 2001, previously functioned as a device room. Peljhan noted that returning it to its original purpose would not incur any construction costs. “This will not impact the plan to grow cardiac services,” he added, highlighting the need for expanded services across other areas of the Island.

Island Health has communicated that while the room could hypothetically serve as a cath lab, that is not its intended function. “Cardiology services, including electrophysiology services, catheterization procedures and follow-up services have been identified as needing to grow,” the health authority stated. The report also emphasizes the urgent need to expand services to reduce existing waitlists.

Funding for capital projects like a cardiac cath lab typically follows a 40-60 model, where the hospital district covers 40 percent of the costs, and the provincial government contributes the remaining funding.

The Fair Care Alliance, comprising doctors, health care advocates, and political figures, has highlighted the increasing need for a cardiac catheterization lab at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital. This group has voiced concerns about equitable access to cardiac care for residents in the north and mid-Island areas. The Nanaimo Regional Hospital District has proposed funding a business plan for the cath lab as part of its commitment to cost-sharing, aiming to expedite the process.

During the recent board meeting, Peljhan acknowledged the significant support from the regional hospital district for establishing a cath lab in the community. “There’s a lot of community support for it, and how we get there is going to be key,” he remarked.

Discussions are ongoing regarding the future of cardiology services in Nanaimo, which may include upgrades and the construction of additional facilities as part of a master site campus plan. This plan could encompass a new tower and other enhancements to the Nanaimo campus, further addressing the region’s healthcare needs.

As Island Health continues to navigate these developments, the focus remains on improving patient access to essential cardiac services and reducing the lengthy wait times that have become a pressing issue for many residents.