Special to RuralBCHealthWatch by Darryl Dobie, SOS and Dawn Gardner, SOHC
A debriefing was held May 24th in Princeton Senior's Hall Branch 30 to sort
through the many meetings local groups had with IHA regarding ER closures.
In attendance were:
- 150 concerned Princeton citizens as well as representatives from:
- Save Our Similkameen (SOS)
- Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen (RDOS)
- Save Our Hospital Coalition (SOHC)
- local Businessmen’s Association
The conclusion was not conducive to progress. Industry asked directly
about worker's safety and protection. IHA told us that there were
"helicopters on standby" in Kelowna, a half an hour's travel time.
Dave Rainier, Chairperson of the Businessmen's Association, pointed out
that choppers did not fly at night, to which IHA President and CEO Dr.
Robert Halpenny agreed and began talking about HART Team based out of
Penticton.
Industry again pointed out that the travel time from Penticton to Copper
Mountain or the back hills of Princeton was dangerously long and well beyond
the guaranteed "Golden Hour".
The HART Team (High Acuity Response Team), is only for transport from
hospital to hospital, NOT for emergencies. When SOHC asked about the STARS
helicopter, Dr. Halpenny responded by saying "The STARS helicopter is a
Cadillac service" and "you get better care in ambulances".
It is common knowledge in the Health Care industry that helicopter care has
a higher quality.
Time and again it was clear that IHA had no interest in ER restoration. In
fact, there was an overall tendency to ignore the need until after the next
election in May.
RDOS representative, Brad Hope, was told perhaps the problem could not be
solved. Grassroots organization representative, Spencer Coyne, was told to
"make the town more attractive".
In response, SOS has decided on a new approach, joining forces with outside
organizations in pursuing legal action.
Another rally is planned to send the message to IHA “No More Talk”
starting at 3:00 PM on Monday, May 28th at Veterans Square in the centre of
downtown Princeton.
Of our existing doctors in Princeton one is almost 20 years past retirement age of most people! Another is away - out of country - several months per year. And they say there is no room here for another Doctor! Those we have now do not have a monopoly, nor should they have, on the number of patients they have. I know of several people whose doctors are out of town simply because they dont care for the ones we have here. (personally I like the doc I have). There is more than enough room for another permanent GP in Princeton. Not all the students graduating now specialize....lets do something to promote our "hole in the wall" town and find an experienced doctor who wants to get away from the big city or one who has completed his or her internship and likes the small town life.
ReplyDeleteWe have to wait many months to see specialists in Penticton or Kelowna. Many of us do not have access to a vehicle and cannot afford the expense of hiring someone to get us to another city where we can get some action.
No ER - it is called hurry up and die folks. Big deal - they have an emergency team who can get here in an hour and a half!!! Bull tweet. If, and the likelihood is quite possible, we have a major disaster like they had in Burns Lake or Prince George or a major incident at the mine or a major traffic accident those persons dont have a chance to survive if we have to wait for the ambulance from Penticton. Get real IHA. Get rid of 3/4 of your staff, get out of your fancy building, spend OUR money like it should be spent - helping and providing GOOD health care for those of us who choose to live in small towns. We are NOT a hole in the wall like you have stated....we exist, we pay big taxes and have a right to LOCAL emergency care 24/7.
You really need to get your facts straight people. The reason physicians are leaving is because BCAS can't provide the level of care needed to transport these patients. The staff at the hospital then have to jump in the ambulance and leave Princeton without a doctor while they care for sick patients going to Penticton or KGH. I've heard of viable solutions but BCAS is more worried about covering their assets than working with IHA on the issue. You do the math.
DeleteWe were attractive at one time, what changed? Possibly, is it that doctors cannot practice what they have trained for? At one time we had doctors "practicing" here. Who changed this, and made our town unattractive? To me it is very very plain to see!!
ReplyDeleteYou, the IHA made us unattractive, so take the responsiblity to make us attractive again!!