The mayor of a small town in northeastern British Columbia is urging the Northern Health Authority to reconsider its decision to implement significant changes to a local emergency room.
Darryl Krakowka, the Mayor of Tumbler Ridge, expressed his concerns following a meeting with officials from the B.C. Ministry of Health and Northern Health, where the proposal was discussed but not finalized.
The community was taken by surprise when Northern Health announced sudden operational adjustments, including the absence of on-call emergency services during evenings, overnights, and weekends. The lack of prior notice resulted in a tragic incident where a patient in need of urgent care passed away while being transported to a distant healthcare facility.
Krakowka criticized the decision, emphasizing that the changes have already led to fatal consequences. He highlighted the challenges faced by the community, including a shortage of doctors and the increasing distance patients have to travel for medical assistance.
The mayor underscored the urgency of the situation, emphasizing that lives are at risk due to the inadequacies in the current emergency care system. He also raised concerns about the broader healthcare crisis affecting not only Tumbler Ridge but the entire province and country.
Residents of the town, including Krakowka, voiced their frustrations during an open house event organized by Northern Health. The lack of satisfactory responses from health officials further fueled the community’s apprehension about the future of their healthcare services.
With a population of approximately 2,700 residents, Tumbler Ridge is a close-knit community heavily reliant on the local mine industry. Krakowka emphasized the need for equitable access to healthcare services for all communities, regardless of their size or location.