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.
Ministry of Health The Ministry of Health supports in principle the resolution that health authorities consult with communities on proposed changes in emergency services, but health authorities must retain the ability to make decisions about service levels. Interior Health IH has consulted extensively with the community of Kaslo and commissioned a report by Dr. John Ross, a Canadian expert on rural emergency care. The report contains 16 recommendations to improve emergency care in Kaslo, and these recommendations are under review by IH. In the immediate term, IH will focus on strengthening primary care services in Kaslo, which is expected to aid recruitment of physicians and reduce demand for emergency services. In the longer term, IH and the Ministry will collaborate on identifying opportunities to implement new models of care that may support 247 emergency services in Kaslo and other rural communities. The Ministry will collaborate with all health authorities to identify opportunities to improve delivery of medical services in remote and rural communities.
Vancouver Coastal Health Vancouver Coastal Health VCH remains supportive of the Canada Health Act and its principles. Like other health authorities, VCH continues to look at ways to ensure our services are delivered in the most efficient, effective, and sustainable manner to meet the needs of our communities. Like the Ministry of Health, VCH supports the principle that health authorities consult with communities on proposed changes in emergency services. However, we also believe that health authorities must retain the ability to make decisions about service levels. With that in mind, there are no changes planned for emergency services within our communities, and we continue to work closely with municipal leaders with VCH on ways to improve services. Interior Health In consultation with the Ministry of Health we were advised that the Provincial Government has already responded to this resolution. Where resolutions impact health authority operations the Ministry has included relevant language within their response. Fraser Health Fraser Health is committed to engaging in a consultation process with stakeholders where appropriate when considering changes to service levels. However, I do concur with the Ministrys comment that health authorities must retain the ability to make decisions about service levels, in order to respond to the changing needs of the population and make best use of our resources. We will continue to collaborate with our Municipal Government Advisory Council and other stakeholders in order to share information and receive feedback regarding how to provide the best health care possible to the populations we both serve.