Bernier pushes for South Peace to have more control in local healthcare

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. —Peace River South MLA is pushing for a Division of Practice for South Peace so more healthcare decisions and support can be kept local. 

According to MLA Mike Bernier, the Division of Practice would allow healthcare providers in the South Peace access to funds from Northern Health so decisions could be made at a more local level. 

“A good example would be they could, through a partnership with physicians in the region, decide that they would put maybe a little bit more money and supports to, say, Tumbler Ridge, for instance,” Bernier explained.

“And then [they would] be able to keep people closer to home in Tumbler Ridge, which at the end of the day would actually free up more beds in Dawson Creek as well.”

Bernier says Northern Health supports the idea, but the group has had issues getting approval from the Minister of Health and the College of Physicians. 

To this end, Bernier wrote to multiple municipalities across the South Peace, including Dawson Creek and the Peace River Regional District, to ask for support in asking the ministry and college to allow the division. 

“It’s really about trying to provide better healthcare services more efficiently for the people in the region.”

Bernier says he has received confirmation of support from Dawson Creek, Chetwynd, and the Peace River Regional District. 

Bernier’s letter to Dawson Creek City Council can be read below: