The MLA for Cariboo-Chilcotin is urging health officials and government leaders to address the repeated closures of the Emergency Department in the South Cariboo.
Lorne Doerkson started a petition to bring urgent attention to this critical issue that he said was born out of frustration.
“This is very frustrating, it’s in my mind dangerous and I think it would be hard for Interior Health to say anything other than that. Emails have come in the last couple of days of stories explaining their situation and explained just how serious it could have been if the 100 Mile District General Hospital was not open. Fortunately in all of those cases the hospital was open and able to attend to their very serious ailments. There is definitely frustration in the community and I think out of frustration and fear that somebody is going to end up losing their life in this bad situation that I started the petition on Monday morning.”
Doerkson noted that the 100 Mile District General Hospital serves a large area.
“Clinton people would come up to that Hospital, all of the InterLakes, Dekka Lake, would be served by this Hospital. For people on the South side of that Hospital it’s important to know when that facility is closed because you might be using very valuable time going to a Hospital that’s closed when you should have turned left and maybe went to Kamloops, that’s another issue. I appreciate that Interior Health is trying to give a notice of the closures and I’m grateful for that, but this is not an ideal situation and frankly it is unacceptable.”
Doerkson said that he will be delivering this petition to the Legislature next week which generally happens immediately following question period.
“All of the Ministers including the Health Minister will be in the room for that delivery. It’s an important step in trying to make a point to the Minister who I have spoken to at length. I had Mayor Pinkney in Victoria to have conversations with her staff and herself, and in fact talked with them myself last week just noting these closures and noting the seriousness of this situation.”
In his online petition site he said “We need a stable, reliable solution that ensures our Hospital remains open and fully staffed. This could include measures to attract and retain medical professionals in this area, evaluate and improve funding allocations, and develop a comprehensive plan to manage emergency services more effectively.”
Doerkson also noted it is imperative that we rally together to demand change and accountability from those responsible for healthcare delivery in our region.
As of today (April 8) over 26-hundred people have signed his petition.
Petition · Address repeated closures of 100 Mile hospital emergency department – Canada · Change.org
Something going on in the Cariboo you think people should know about?
Send us a news tip by emailing cariboonews@vistaradio.ca.
