Doctors in five Peace River region hospitals gave patients a taste of what health care might look like in the future.
For three days, starting Monday, patients were turned away from local hospitals and told to drive to Grande Prairie for any health care, except for emergencies.
It’s what health care will look like in the future if cuts continue in the Mistahia Regional Health Authority, wrote Dr. Claudia Strehlke, president of the medical staff of the northwest region, in a letter to residents.
The doctors said they wouldn’t admit patients in Spirit River, Fairview, Beaverlodge, Valleyview and Grimshaw hospitals.
Read Also
Canola oil transloading facility opens
DP World just opened its new canola oil transload facility at the Port of Vancouver. It can ship one million tonnes of the commodity per year.
“Our current level of health-care funding is inadequate, as we are at the basic level of care. The further cuts that are planned for our region can only be absorbed by lowering staffing levels, closing three rural hospitals or discontinuing specialist services at the Queen Elizabeth II Hospital,” said Strehlke.
But Irwin Huberman, communications co-ordinator for the health authority, said there are no plans to close health facilities or reduce care.
The board of directors has reaffirmed its commitment to health care in the region, he said.
This year it plans to balance the $72 million budget, but it won’t be able to implement $8 million worth of improvements the doctors suggested at a meeting with the health authority last fall, he said.
“There will be no deficit and no cutbacks,” he said.
