Thoughts on BC Politics and More

There are growing concerns over lives being put at risk over the lack of emergency health care in some BC communities, say local health authorities. Interior and Northern Health combined have seen close to 200 temporary emergency room closures just this year. On Tuesday evening, Interior Health issued a statement announcing the closure of the Lillooet Hospital and Health Centre from 7 p.m. Tuesday until 8 a.m. Wednesday ... ... marked the latest in a series of closures at the hospital, in addition those at the ER at Lakes District Hospital and Health Centre in Burns Lake, which has faced 30 closures since January ... CLICK HERE for the full story

The emergency department at Lillooet Hospital was closed again Tuesday evening. It’s the 30th temporary closure this year and while Interior Health promises help is coming, community concern is growing. “It’s scary. It’s people’s lives that we’re playing with here,” said Lillooet resident, Sandy McKay. Last month, McKay said he felt unwell and needed help, but the emergency room was closed. So he waited until the next morning when he joined others waiting for the ER to reopen. He was given antibiotics, but it wasn’t enough. “My condition started to deteriorate where I had no energy even to walk 30, 40 feet to my truck,” said McKay.  ... CLICK HERE for the full story needed more help, but once again, the ER was closed

 . . . . “Public transportation is a serious impediment for thousands of residents living within the BC Interior,” wrote Hopfl in a letter to the Squamish - Lillooet Regional District (SLRD). “With the cessation of passenger rail service serving communities between North Vancouver to Prince George in 2002, not only is direct access to medical care, social opportunities in major centres and family visits not possible, but tourism has also declined.” Lillooet also lost its only public transportation link to Whistler earlier this year, when the Owl Bus formally ceased operations . . . . CLICK HERE for the full story