A lack of retention and manpower was said to be at the root of the emergency department service reduction in Tumbler Ridge by Northern Health.
The health authority said it is working with Tumbler Ridge Mayor Darryl Krakowa, city councillors, and residents to address the ongoing staffing shortage.
“We are exploring ways to innovate and stabilize services in a sustainable manner and improve access to health services,” said Northern Health in a community health services update. The authority also refuted claims saying 24/7 emergency care was unavailable.
“Work is ongoing to maintain two staffed 24/7 local ambulances, recognizing the impact of other emergency services requirements in the area,” explained Northern Health. “It is important that you know that emergency services are always accessible day or night by calling 9-1-1 – as they always have been.”
Recruitment was also said to be underway as a means of addressing this staffing shortage. Currently, for the Tumbler Ridge Health Centre there is a need for two family doctors and a nurse practitioner, according to the healthcare provider.
Reducing emergency services in the south Peace community was necessary due to staffing shortages, and since they were reigned in this fall, Northern Health said availability in its clinic stabilized.
“Now that the on-call rotation for nursing is more stable and does not require overnight calls, nursing primary care appointments are now easier to book,” the health authority explained.
Other services performed by registered nurses in B.C., including home support and immunizations are more readily available as a result of the change.
General wait times have also improved since the launch of a new system that books patients with any available provider, rather than a specific practitioner.
“The wait time is often as low as one day, whereas waiting to see your attached provider could mean a longer wait time,” explained Northern Health.
Since the clinic’s hours were reduced in the fall, Northern Health said staffing is “more stable (in the emergency department), with no service interruptions due to staffing in November.” Two closures were reported from the emergency room last month by the provider.
