Two veterans who were initially denied access to the veterans hospital in Halifax have now been approved to move in.
Petter Blindheim, 94, and Donald Osborne, 95, will be moving into Camp Hill Veterans Memorial hospital as early as next week, after the federal government reassessed their cases.
Blindheim was initially refused because his Second World War service was with the Norwegian Royal Navy and merchant marine, which the hospital said were not official allies, despite the fact Blindheim fought alongside England.
Osborne, who recently had a bad fall and doesn’t always remember what year he’s in, was denied a bed after a nurse assessed him earlier this year and found he could still do tasks like bathe and make a sandwich.
Both men’s families were offended that the hospital would not allow the men to have one of the 13 beds empty at the federal hospital, which receives more funding per patient than provincial facilities.
Blindheim’s rejection led to a public outcry, including from Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil, who called the decision “bureaucratic BS.”
The federal Liberals say they will overhaul the rules for all veterans seeking admission to hospitals, after a review that is expected to take two years.
Local Liberal MP Andy Filmore said the current rules “have been shown to lack compassion (and) flexibility.”
Blindheim said he thinks it’s “very good” that his story might help future veterans gain admission to Camp Hill.
Osborne’s daughter said it feels like a weight has been lifted off her shoulders, “knowing that dad is going to be looked after.”
With a report from CTV Atlantic’s Sarah Ritchie
