Dr. Elizabeth Parfitt (Image Credit: CFJC Today / File Photo)

By Doug Collins

One Man's Opinion

COLLINS: RIH medical director puts on a brave face

Nov 17, 2023 | 6:00 AM

DR. ELIZABETH PARFITT IS MY KIND OF DOCTOR. She is hugely talented, with a strong vision of what has to be done. As Royal Inland’s medical director, she speaks her mind. She treats infectious diseases and during the pandemic, she was a major spokesperson for the medical community.

When she first came to Kamloops eight years ago, she treated me for a bad series of infections. I was totally impressed with the calm manner in which she spoke while at the same time giving me a good swift kick in the backside for not looking after myself.

A week ago, she updated the TNRD hospital board on the doctor shortage here. Very subtly, Dr. Parfitt pointed out that their main focuses were in five areas — obstetrics and gynecology, anaesthesiology, psychiatry, neurology and pathology. Those disciplines cover a big area, and Dr. Parfitt was clear to say these were just the worst areas they were focusing on, not the only ones.

To emphasize the situation, she said there should be six neurologists here. There are none. N-O-N-E. Dr. Parfitt said all neurological cases are now run out of Kelowna.

And these concerns don’t include shortages of nurses, lab techs, janitorial — and the list goes on. It points out again how poorly the system is working. Lots of new operating rooms but I doubt surgeons will want to do major operations without someone to pump in the anesthetic.

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Health Minister Adrian Dix was here recently to assure us the plans for a new cancer clinic are going ahead. But if there are no doctors and support staff, how will that area function?

Dr. Parfitt is correct in stating we have great doctors here, but why would they come here if they can’t do their work? Dr. Parfitt took a fairly low-key approach with the hospital district last week. I don’t think the next time Dr. Parfitt speaks, she will be as subtle or gentle as she was this week. She is, in my view, just what the doctor ordered.

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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.