‘This is urgent’: 100 Mile House mayor hoping for end to series of recurring ER closures

This is the seventh ER closure since Family Day this year and the third in eight days, and Pinkney says its putting the community on edge.

“The one doctor that was scheduled – and it should never come down to one doctor – but he took ill and they haven’t been able to find someone to replace that person in short order,” Pinkney said of this recent run of closures.

District officials have been in contact with Health Minister Josie Osborne over possible solutions to try and put an end to the ER closures. However, Pinkney admits the situation is complicated as while there are health professions in 100 Mile House who want to work, they can’t, because of issues around compensation and training.

“I think we need to use all the health professionals that we have in our area for many other things than they’re currently permitted to do,” Pinkney said. “It doesn’t mean that they have to do it, but the options should be provided to them if they want to be more engaged.”

“We don’t want to lose a doctor that wants to stay there because of a piece of paper.”

Interior Health was not available for an on-camera interview, but in a statement to CFJC said that it is working to reduce these service interruptions in 100 Mile House by working with community leaders and partners like the Central Interior Rural Division of Family Practice.

“We are also working closely with physicians in the community on compensation and coverage models to provide consistent access to emergency care and increase work-life balance for medical staff,” Richard Harding, the Chief Operating Officer of Clinical Operations for IH North, said in a statement.

“A new physician is expected to arrive in 100 Mile House later this spring and their medical practice will include support for the hospital’s emergency department, which will help stabilize services.”

The health authority also said it is “encouraged” by the results of a provincial recruitment campaign that brought over 400 professionals to work in B.C. communities. It noted 83 of those were set to join communities across Interior Health.

“Interior Health and all the powers to be up there are working on [a solution]. We just need them to work faster and find solutions quicker,” Pinkney added. “It’s very involved and we do appreciate that but at the same time, this is urgent.”

by Victor Kaisar

‘This is urgent’: 100 Mile House mayor hoping for end to series of recurring ER closures

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