Image Credit: FACEBOOK/Nicola Valley ER Crisis
April 15, 2023 - 6:00 AM
People who rely on the hospital in Merritt are losing their patience with Interior Health over the frequency of emergency department closures.
There have been eight separate 12-hour closures at the Nicola Valley Hospital and Health Centre so far in 2023. It's supposed to be open 24-7.
To try and improve the situation, nearly 800 people have joined a Facebook group called Nicola Valley ER Crisis that was created on April 11.
“Most people in Merritt have a vested interest in keeping the emergency department open 24-7,” said Georgia Clement, who created the Facebook group. “We’re disappointed in Interior Health.”
Beyond Merritt’s population of 7,051, Clement said numerous commuters on the Coquihalla as well as the many people who live and work in the outskirts also rely on the hospital.
“For everyone working out in the bush who are miles and miles out – sometimes it’s not going to be in their best interest to drive another 45 mins to an hour (to the next closest hospital).”
Furthermore, Clement worries about a hospital closure and highway closures happening at the same time, leaving patients stranded.
Considering how there’s a practicing surgeon willing to work in Merritt’s emergency department, but was denied by Interior Health, she doesn’t feel like the health authority is doing all it can to address the chronic closures.
However patients who count on the Nicola Valley Hospital and Health Centre are reminded that hospital closures are not unique to Merritt.
“Similar to other health-care facilities in Canada, and across other industries, Nicola Valley Hospital is experiencing the same staffing shortages,” an Interior Health spokesperson said in an email. “We have a holistic strategy moving ahead, with partnership between Interior Health, the Ministry of Health, City of Merritt, Divisions of Family Practice, physician partners, and so on. While it is our priority to improve recruitment and retention, we are also looking at the broader health services for residents. That includes developing a plan to improve the primary care model.”
There is low confidence that the frequent closures will end soon.
“When a staff member is not available due to illness or other unforeseen circumstances, as was the case last weekend, it may be difficult to fill that shift on short notice,” according to the email. “It can be further challenging if bad weather or long weekend unavailability limits our ability to bring in alternate staff.”
The spokesperson claims Interior Health has made progress recruiting physicians and staff at the Nicola Valley Hospital emergency department.
“We have added three permanent registered nurse positions to the ED and are working to have successful candidates start as soon as possible.”
Clement organized a demonstration last weekend and is planning another for today, April 14 from 2 to 2:45 p.m. at Central Park.
“We understand the frustrations of residents when their ED has an unexpected closure,” the email reads. “We want to reassure everyone that we are taking every action possible to try to avoid service interruptions in the future.”
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