Interior Health Apologizes!

From Mayor Lay and RDCK Area D Director Andy Shadrack

Interior Health apologizes, November 2, 2012 date still set.

(Victoria) - Interior Health recognizes that our staff and the community were brought into formal discussions about the emergency department challenges in Kaslo too late and we apologize for this. We should have spoken to the community sooner.

The challenges we are facing in sustaining a 24/7 Emergency Department remain real and are significant. That being said, Interior Health belie ves it is important to have further discussions with community representatives and our physicians and staff about the best model for services in Kaslo movingforwurd. As we discussed today, Interior Health is committed to having that dialogue.

At this point, it is too early to say what this will mean for the November 2 implementation date of the new Emergency Department hours, but we will be starting discussions as soon as possible."

This public statement was made and read out by Dr Robert Halpenny, CEO, IHA, at a meeting between representatives of the IHA and the West Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospi tal District Board on Mon day, September 24th, 2012 in Victoria.

The Union of BC Munici palities passed the follow ing resolution on Thursday, October 27th:

Therefore  be  it  resolved that the Ministry of Health take steps to ensure the quality of medical services in small communities is re turned to, and maintained at a level that will ensure the public health and safety of our citizens is not at risk.

And bit further resolved that the Union Of BC Munici palities support a morato rium on unilateral changes being made by a regional health authority to any health centre or hospital so that negotiations can find a way to preserve these com munities' access to 24/7 emergency services.

And be it further resolved that the Provincial Minister of Health initiate an audit of all health authorities to ensure delivery of medi cal services to remote and rural British Columbians complies with require ments of Canada's Health Act, all appropriate BC leg islation and all contractual agreements between the BC Government and the Health Authorities.

Respectfully,

Greg Lay, Kaslo Mayor

and

WKBRHD Board member 

Andy Shadrack, Director Area D 

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