Doctor crisis

Doctor crisis gets worse

Written by Alicia Isaacs

Mayor Harwood has announced at the Council meeting on March 4 that as of June 30, 2008, the District of Clearwater will no longer have doctors to attend to the medical needs of the community.

Harwood received correspondence from Dr. Soles and Dr. McKenzie advising that they will not renew their contract at the end of the three month period. Both doctors will close their practice at the medical clinic as well as their services at the hospital.

Dr. Soles and Dr. McKenzie are not taking on any new patients, however, they will continue to service their clients, long-term and emergency patients.

According to Harwood, having only two doctors in the vicinity puts a lot of strain on them and the District requires to have five doctors on staff to alleviate the pressure on these doctors.

There is the possibility that Dr. Soles and Dr. McKenzie will remain as doctors if the District of Clearwater is able to recruit three other doctors to work in the area. He also adds that the doctor situation is a National issue and hopes that the solutions will come about on a Government level to facilitate change.

Harwood says that if the situation does not change before June 30 when the doctors plan to leave, the District will be left with no alternative. Kamloops is already short of doctors and having additional patients will put an additional strain on those doctors as well.

There’s a 240km commute from Blue River to Kamloops which poses a very difficult situation for patients to travel for medical attention.

Interior Health Authority is assisting with this problem and is willing to pay up to $100,000.00 for doctors to practice, $40,000.00 student loan forgiveness, moving allowance, travel, food and accommodation up to $5,000.00 and other incentives.

Mayor Harwood announced that the District is offering a $1,000.00 bounty to members of the community who can recruit doctors to practice in Clearwater. He is appealing to the public to provide linkages between them and those they know in order to bring in doctors into the area.

Finance and Audit Committee Chair, Councillor Dobi reported at the Council meeting that ICBC revenue is a source of funds for doctor support, however, the budget will be reviewed in order to adequately offer ongoing assistance in this venture.

Councillor Dobi advised that Marion Walker has been assigned as the Primary Contact for the hospital and has been given authority to release necessary funds. The Committee plans to establish a website as a marketing tool to attract doctors to the vicinity.

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