Kaslo loses 24-7 Emergency Care

Interior Health confirmed a reduction of emergency department hours at the Victorian Community Health Centre during a presentation to Kaslo village council Tuesday evening.

Dr. Jeremy Eatherington, VP of Medicine and Quality told the more than 200 residents in attendance that the IHA has been unable to recruit the two full-time doctors needed to staff the facility 24-7.

"This is a devastating blow to this community," says BC Nurses' Union president Debra McPherson.

"What will happen to that sick child at 2:00 am, the heart attack victim or the senior who falls and breaks a hip? The inevitable delay in accessing necessary medical care may result in increased complications and deaths" says McPherson, noting that patients requiring emergency care will now be forced to travel to Nelson, which is more than an hour's drive away in treacherous winter conditions.

McPherson says the IHA should be arranging to provide after-hours coverage with locum doctors and nurse practitioners. The health authority should also train existing nursing staff in advance practice care to treat and stabilize patients needing a transfer to larger facilities if a doctor isn't available.

"The BCNU is extremely disappointed the health authority took this action," says McPherson. "The community is feeling disrespected and frustrated. Our RN's are worried about job security and our LPN's are concerned about the increased scope of practice and responsibility they may be expected to provide," she says.

In a recent letter to worried residents, Health Minister Terry Lake said "Kaslo will be best served by the provision of consistent, robust primary care, as opposed to 24-7 ED service."

"This is not consistent, robust care," says McPherson. "Interior Health is trying to save money on the backs of the people who live there. Nurses, doctors, residents and even IH's own privately hired consultant have offered solutions to the problem. Interior Health has chosen to ignore all of them."