Dr. Helmcken Memorial Hospital (image credit - CFJC Today)

By Michael Reeve

CLEARWATER ER HOPE

‘The canary in the coal mine’; Clearwater hospital beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel

Aug 25, 2022 | 4:12 PM

CLEARWATER, B.C. — “We are seeing the plans of progress right now,” said Dr. Kara Perdue.

The situation in Clearwater is in no way unique, but it was one of the early warning signs of a crumbling healthcare system in the rural areas of British Columbia. Clearwater is still suffering staffing shortages but are working to alleviate pressure on the nurses.

“We describe ourselves right now as the canary in the coal mine. We were one of the first emergency department closures, but clearly we are not the last and it’s happening other places. If it’s not just us there is clearly bigger issues at play here and it’s something systemic,” said Perdue.

While work is being completed behind the scenes to improve care, Clearwater residents are rightfully concerned about possible worst-case scenarios.

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“It’s terrible because you have to go all the way to Kamloops for a medical problem. They shouldn’t have shut them down, we need better services,” said local resident Estell.

“And my biggest concern is if we need the healthcare system at night, that we aren’t going to be able to access it,” added Denise.

The concerned voice of the residents is making an impact in Clearwater, with Mayor Merlin Blackwell calling the crisis his entire job right now.

“Clearwater, because of the situation here with a transition in doctors it sort of accelerated things in to this crisis. But also we have a small hospital where if you lose one or two staff on the nursing side, the whole system starts to collapse,” stated Blackwell.

Thursday evening (Aug. 25), will be the 15th straight night the Clearwater emergency department has been forced to close due to limited staffing availability. As the closures stretches on, a light at the end of the tunnel is beginning to appear.

“It’s still going be a challenge, and it’s going to be an ongoing work in progress. But we have at least seen some of the changes we’ve been asking for and hoping for,” said Perdue.

“I’ve actually had quite a few nurses in the world reach out to me and also directly through the hospital. To the best of my knowledge at least three are on their way or have been hired,” said Blackwell.

Blackwell also announced that a new doctor will be starting in a few days at the hospital. The mayor said the community of Clearwater came together to find a way.

“The community of Clearwater has absolutely stepped up on this, they have been reaching out. Any need that I need — child care, a house, or even referring their friends in the medical field to come and work here,” Blackwell added.

The final overnight closure at the Clearwater hospital is currently scheduled for Friday, August 26, but there is no guarantee it will be the last.

“We still aren’t quite up to where we would like to be in terms of staffing numbers. But it at least should be some relief in the foreseeable future,” said Perdue.