Access to Medical Services

WHEREAS the communities of Kaslo and Electoral Area D, Regional District Central Kootenay, received notice on September 13, 2012, that the Interior Health Authority will unilaterally terminate 80 of the current on site emergency medical services to the entire North Kootenay Lake, Lardeau and Duncan Valley communities as of November 2, 2012, without any previous consultation with local government and these communities; AND WHEREAS at least 20 of the population in the local health area live more than one hour away from the Kaslo health facility site and more than two hours away from the next closest emergency site at Nelson: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that UBCM support a moratorium on unilateral changes being made by a regional health authority to any health centre or hospital, so that negotiations can find a way to preserve these communities access to 247 emergency services; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the provincial Minister of Health initiate an audit of all health authorities to ensure delivery of medical services to remote and rural British Columbians complies with requirements of the Canada Health Act, all appropriate BC legislation and all contractual agreements between the BC government and the health authorities.