Eighteen months ago, while we still had 32 residing physicians, myself and five of our local doctors visited our MLA's office for a meeting at which we discussed the medical crisis which was arising. We had two meetings in total and a committee was supposed to have been formed to investigate the problem and suggest some ways in which to improve the situation. Nothing further has developed following our meetings and we have now lost many more valuable physicians for many reasons. I firmly believe that the main reason for this loss of physicians is the disorganization and lack of leadership in our Northern Health Board since Prince George was included and became the biggest factor in our region.
Back in the good old days, before Prince George was included, representatives from each city in our region such as Tumbler Ridge, Chetwynd, Hudson Hope, Dawson Creek, Fort Nelson and Fort St. John would meet and oversee our own Northern Health Board. I feel that this is how the Northern Health Board should be controlled once again and we the people of the North should have control of our own Health Board and our own funds with which to run it. After all, the majority of the money for the province is made in these Northern communities. In my opinion, Prince George is Central British Columbia and should return to their own Health Board once again.
We dare not get sick for fear that we will not be able to be seen by one of only 12 doctors who are currently serving a population of approximately 30,000 people in Fort St. John and the surrounding area. And yet, despite this, they are talking about the Site C Dam and some large pipelines which will bring an influx of additional residents who will also be without a family doctor to care for them. I have lived here all of my life and have watched our city grow and have not, until now, seen so many growing problems as we currently have.
Some of the complaints heard most often are waiting more than a month for an appointment with your doctor, long waiting lists to see specialists, long waits for surgeries, the seniors in our long-term care facilities who are all but forgotten, the need to travel to Grande Prairie, Alberta to receive an MRI, the poor level of cleanliness is some of our provincial hospitals and the poor food services in many of our hospitals.
In closing I would like to express my appreciation for all the doctors, nurses and health care professionals who have chosen to practice within our community and who have dedicated themselves to providing us with the best possible care and high level of professionalism during these trying times. I ask that anyone else who feels these issues cannot be ignored and require immediate action please write to the health minister, the premier and ombudsman with your concerns. Do it for your safety and the safety of your loved ones.
Lorraine P. Isenbecker
Fort St. John
