Northern Health to host open house about reduced on-call hours at health centre

TUMBLER RIDGE, B.C. — The region’s health authority is inviting residents of Tumbler Ridge to voice their opinions about reduced on-call hours at the district’s health centre.

Earlier this week, Northern Health announced on-call hours at the Tumbler Ridge Health Centre’s on-call service are being reduced to just 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays, eliminating weekend coverage.

Prior to this, on-call staff were available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Northern Health said at the time the change was to “ensure predictable daytime coverage.”

A Facebook post on Northern Health’s Tumbler Ridge page said feedback will be heard from residents at an open house scheduled for Sunday, September 7th.

The post reads: “This is an opportunity to learn more about the changes, the intended benefits to the stability and predictability of local emergency, primary care and community health services and access to emergency transport and care after-hours.”

Northern Health representatives – including local and senior management and medical leadership – will be on hand, according to the post.

The announcement has received heavy criticism from both residents and public officials.

Mayor Darryl Krakowka and council called out Northern Health in a letter issued on Friday, questioning “the impact” the decision to reduce on-call hours will have on residents, visitors and the workforce in the district.

Now, it appears there might be some answers to many questions for residents of Tumbler Ridge.

The open house will take place between 11 a.m. and 12 noon at the Tumbler Ridge Community Centre on 340 Front Street.