Clearwater (image credit - CFJC Today)

By Michael Reeve

CLEARWATER HOSPITAL HELP

Minister Dix hints at possible housing support for hospital staff in Clearwater

Sep 22, 2022 | 4:01 PM

CLEARWATER B.C. — Earlier this year, the Clearwater emergency department was forced to close for 24 consecutive nights due to limited staffing. The hospital has found stability since the prolonged stretch of closures thanks to new nurses and a doctor being hired. However, despite the new hires, the hospital is still short-staffed.

Mayor of Clearwater Merlin Blackwell has previously said that lack of housing options remains a hurdle for recruitment to the district, especially with Trans Mountain (TMX) still in the community. Blackwell says that has forced him to personally reach out to the community to find space for the new hires.

“There has been an increase in rental housing stock coming on the market as TMX leaves town. So, that has helped the situation but also letting the community know what the problem is so they can reach out and help,” said Blackwell. “The 11 people who stepped forward to take ambulance training is a perfect example of people finding out what the problem is and going, ‘I can help with that.’ And we have been able to do that a community scale in Clearwater and that is what we really pushed with (Health) Minister (Adrian) Dix, let us help from the bottom up.”

Dix met briefly with a group of community leaders at the Union of B.C. Municipalities convention in Whistler last week. Earlier this week, Dix stated that the government is planning to assist Clearwater with its housing challenges. Blackwell said the help is tied to changing requirements at a seniors building in the district and needing B.C. Housing approval.

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“The Clearwater housing market is a little bit difficult, until you get there and you can know about what the neighbourhoods are like, it’s really hard to make a choice. The solution that came forward was from the Wells Gray Seniors Housing Society. They suggested offering a suite in their new 20-unit housing complex as a temporary landing pad for new doctors and nurses,” said Blackwell.