City council continues to ask for an independent review of operations and management at Cariboo Memorial Hospital. Speaking to council last week via TV, Health Minister Adrian Dix said his ministry is doing all it can to solve the problem of emergency closures but he had little to say about a review. Councillors aren’t giving up. Mayor Rathor says they are meeting with Interior Health officials next week.
Why the reluctance to have a review? Reviews aren’t necessarily negative. If everything is hunky-dory at the hospital, a review would clear the air, assure everyone that everything is fine, and shut up the critics. The reviewers might offer suggestions on how to make some improvements, but that’s a positive. No system is so good it can’t be better. Stalling on the review is making people uneasy.
I believe services at every level of government should be reviewed on a regular basis, if only to be sure they are keeping up to date. Williams Lake isn’t the only community with hospital woes, why not review the whole system? My hope still is that other organizations and groups in the community will add their voices to the “Do Something” chorus. Individuals can write letters.
There are suggestions that shortcomings in the city are the reason professionals don’t want to live here. The Williams Lake District of Commerce is taking that one on, holding a meeting Sept.4 to “brainstorm action” that will encourage skilled professionals to stay in Williams Lake. Let’s hope there’s a good attendance and lots of ideas.
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Very best wishes to Cariboo/North Thompson regional editor Angie Mindus as she leaves us for a new career, and to Monica Lamb-Yorski who is replacing her. Happy landings to both of you.
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The thunder storm last Sunday was certainly a noisy one.
