Northern Health requests respect for workers amid Tumbler Ridge controversy

TUMBLER RIDGE, B.C. — In the wake of a controversy surrounding on-call hours at a local health centre, Northern Health is urging residents to be kind and respectful towards its workers in the Tumbler Ridge area and the South Peace as a whole.

The health authority announced on September 4th plans to reduce the on-call hours at the Tumbler Ridge Health Centre’s emergency department. 

While regular operating hours between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. are unaffected, on-call hours were reduced to 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays only.

That means people calling 911 outside normal operating hours or the new, reduced on-call hours would need to be transported to a different emergency room elsewhere in the South Peace.

The decision lead to backlash from residents, Tumbler Ridge mayor Darryl Krakowka, the District of Chetwynd and Peace River South MLA Larry Neufeld.

In the wake of backlash against the decision, Northern Health invited residents to an open house then announced the change in hours would be temporary. A second open house was also hosted on September 11th.

On Tuesday, September 16th at 1:36 p.m., the health authority made a new post urging members of the community to treat healthcare workers in Tumbler Ridge and the South Peace with respect.

“While engaging with community leaders, medical staff leadership and other partners is important both online and in person,” it reads, “we are asking that staff and medical staff in the community be treated with respect.

“Tumbler Ridge Health Centre staff and physicians are also members of the community, and confronting them at work, during their personal time or anytime on social media is inappropriate.”

The agency says it understands that residents have concerns regarding services in the community, and urges them to reach out to Northern Health directly rather than go through staff in Tumbler Ridge.

“The current staff and medical staff in Tumbler Ridge deserve appreciation and respect, as they too are affected when staffing resources are stretched.”

The post ends with Northern Health reaffirming its commitment to “ensure the community’s voices are heard,” and says residents may notice a security presence at the Tumbler Ridge Health Centre for the foreseeable future.

Energeticcity.ca contacted Northern Health requesting information regarding any incidents that have occurred at the facility recently and will provide updates with new information as it becomes available.