IHA Closed Door Meeting A Waste Of Time

Disappointing, unproductive.

Those are just two of the words being used to describe discussions held in private 'behind closed doors' Monday, May 28th between Princeton Town Council and three members of Interior Health Authority (including IHA President and CEO Dr. Robert Halpenny) in Princeton.

Members of Princeton Town Council briefly touched on the meeting during their June 4th regular public meeting. While it was obvious some of the 'in-camera' discussion will remain private, it was easy to see that the results were not what would be considered anything less than a waste of time.

Another 'behind closed doors' meeting with IHA officials is on the horizon and Princeton Town Council members did state they left the in-camera meeting expecting answers to two tasks left with Interior Health to resolve.

The top priority appears to be the reinstatement of 24/7 ER coverage at Princeton General Hospital and the second is quite likely related to doctor recruitment for the community. Acting Princeton Mayor Jason Earle was firm in his statement to the gallery at the June 4th Town Council meeting that all four elected members are unified in their stance and are working hard to bring about a solution to the ER situation at PGH.

Acting Mayor Jason Earle, in speaking directly to IHA Officials at the April 2nd Town Council meeting where the ER closure announcement was first made, said at the time, "We want to work with you (IHA), not be working for you."