“The emergency room is closed unless patient is imminently dying.”
These were the words written on a sign posted at the Cariboo Memorial Hospital in early October.
The health minister, along with Interior Health, have denied that the emergency room was closed, stating that this sign was not authorized and not accurate. However, patients have told stories about showing up to the ER that evening needing immediate help and being diverted to 100 Mile House for care.
The people of the Cariboo deserve answers and this government needs to take accountability. Whether the ER was officially closed or not, this sign is an indication of the dire state of our health care system.
Under the NDP’s “new normal” you must be on the brink of death to get help. This is not isolated to Williams Lake. Across the province staff shortages, ER closures and wait times are increasing.
One in five British Columbians do not have a family doctor. The average wait time at B.C. walk-in clinics has increased significantly in recent years, going from 58 minutes in 2021 to 79 minutes in 2022. Now, British Columbia is sending cancer patients to the United States for treatment.
Health care workers are burnt out as staffing shortages continue across the province. Interior Health had a 5.1 percent vacancy rate in 2019, now they are facing a 13.7 percent vacancy rate.
Rural communities are disproportionately feeling the effect of health care staff shortages and it is affecting the whole system. One physician calling in sick can shut down entire clinics and force patients to be diverted to a hospital hours away.
Action is desperately needed to address the critical situation unfolding at the Cariboo Memorial Hospital and in communities across B.C. We need real solutions to bring in more doctors and increased efforts to retain our current staff.
It’s time for government to urgently deliver results on health care — the lives of British Columbians are at stake; they don’t have years to wait.
READ MORE: Half of B.C.’s care aides say they’ll likely quit amid shortages: survey
READ MORE: Interior Health reviewing why ER closure sign posted at Williams Lake hospital
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