File Photo (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Lorne Doerkson

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SOUND OFF: Healthcare crisis continues in the Cariboo

Apr 6, 2023 | 12:27 PM

EVERY DAY, HEALTHCARE WORKERS ACROSS B.C. get up and go to work, knowing it’s going to be a challenging day. Faced with understaffed clinics and hospitals, thousands of patients who don’t have access to primary care, a lack of support from health authorities, long hours and the stress of the last three years, it’s no wonder so many health care workers are dealing with burnout.

Staffing issues are plaguing our entire healthcare system, but we have firsthand experience with the problem in the Cariboo. Cariboo Memorial Hospital in Williams Lake is dealing with a dire staff shortage, and it is having a dramatic impact not just on the community but the surrounding region as well.

Right now, the emergency department is being staffed by only two-and-a-half staff physicians — this for a department that Interior Health considers fully staffed with eight or nine doctors. Hospital staff are doing their best to look after patients in need, but it is impossible to provide the highest quality of care when you only have a quarter of the support you need.

Adding to the problem is the chronic shortage of family doctors in the region, with more than 8,000 people still without one. The area will soon be losing at least two more doctors, meaning that number is about to get even bigger.

When people do not have a family doctor, it puts greater stress on the hospital, to the point where Interior Health is starting to consider sending any unattached patients to other hospitals rather than admitting them to Cariboo Memorial. As a result, we may see more people being sent to the hospitals in 100 Mile House or Kamloops — both of which have staffing issues of their own — simply because there are not enough doctors in Williams Lake to care for them.

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It’s a continued domino effect we’ve seen throughout rural B.C. over the past two years, with one hospital reaching its breaking point, leading to increased pressure and stress on those around it.

It’s clear that action is needed to address this critical situation. Health Minister Adrian Dix needs to step in and provide relief, because it’s clear Interior Health cannot solve this problem. We need clear solutions like bringing more doctors to our region, considering a pathway back to employment for unvaccinated health care workers, allowing physician assistants to practice in B.C., and most importantly, working to retain the hardworking staff we have right now.

Another idea was floated by Williams Lake council this week. It passed a motion directing staff to ask Interior Health to set up a short-term urgent and primary care centre for the city immediately.

These are not new problems, but they are growing more serious by the day. Health care workers want to help. They have no shortage of suggestions and potential solutions. Government just needs to be willing to listen, and then act.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or Pattison Media.