Don Buchanan, a renowned helicopter pilot and all-around smart guy, had a dream over 30 years ago.
He wanted to make it safe for people that are in need of emergency care at our hospital. He went to the administrators of the hospital as well as the architect who was working to improve the facility, offering his expertise to construct a helicopter pad for emergencies. His offerings fell on deaf ears. A helipad was created next to the emergency parking lot. No one from the local aviation world was consulted. After one use, Trans Canada closed the pad down due to unsafe conditions.
I am so tired of hearing excuses for why we do not have proper emergency care for people who need it beyond Hope. Recently, at the WSCA (Western Silvicultural Contractors Association) annual conference in Victoria, Roger Harris released a report which stressed the importance for an emergency service to guarantee those who live and work in the north have the same access to health care as those south of Hope.
For some time now H.E.R.O.S. (Helicopter Emergency Rescue Operations Society) have been attempting to get a helicopter specifically for emergency care for the north.
I believe in baby steps. A helipad at the University Hospital of Northern B.C. would be the start. Mackenzie, Fort St. James and Quesnel all have helipads at their hospitals. We are supposed to be the hub of current medical care in the north so what is wrong with this picture? We have many instances where emergency care can be fatal if injuries are not attended right away. It can be a matter of life and death. So why are we even having this discussion? Why is this even an issue?
We have a generous Liberal government who were very quick to step up to the plate when needed.
Folks, this is so overdue and this is an election year. We have to engage our candidates in discussion and get changes made before loss of life. God knows how many lives that could have been saved already. Northern Health just does not feel that this is a priority. In my opinion, it should be.
Don Buchanan isn't with us anymore but his passion and wisdom for the good of this community is. It is time to get off our butts and take those baby steps and make Don's dream a reality.
