File Photo (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By James Peters

Hospital Closures

In the wake of repeated emergency closures, Merritt sends Premier Eby $100k bill

Jul 12, 2024 | 11:35 AM

MERRITT, B.C. — Merritt’s mayor is formally asking the provincial government for compensation for emergency room services not offered at Nicola Valley Hospital.

Friday morning (July 12), Mike Goetz sent Premier David Eby an invoice listing costs of 19 emergency room closures in 2023 and five closures so far in 2024.

The invoice is dated Thursday, July 11. The hospital’s emergency room was closed overnight again Thursday to Friday.

Merritt’s invoice also lists costs incurred by Merritt’s volunteer fire department for 497 medical incidents it responded to in 2023.

In a letter accompanying the invoice, Goetz says the city has had to raise property taxes by 1 per cent to pay for times when Merritt Fire Rescue had to fill the gaps in paramedic or ambulance service that should be provided by the province.

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In all, Goetz is demanding $103,831.87 from the province, including more than $43,000 plus GST for lost ER services and more than $55,000 plus GST for services provided by Merritt Fire Rescue.

In March, the Thompson Regional Hospital District offered its support for Goetz’s plan to send the province the bill for lost services.