PRRD opposes healthcare coverage cuts in Tumbler Ridge

TUMBLER RIDGE, B.C. — The regional district is throwing its support behind residents of Tumbler Ridge in opposition to service reductions at the community’s emergency room. 

During the September 18th meeting, the Peace River Regional District (PRRD) board of directors voted to send a letter of support for the District of Tumbler Ridge. 

The board agreed to send the letter to David Eby, the B.C. premier; Josie Osborne, the minister of health; Ciro Panessa, the CEO of Northern Health; Jordan Kealy, the MLA of Peace River North; Larry Neufeld, the MLA of Peace River South; and Bob Zimmer, the MP of Prince George, Peace River and Northern Rockies. 

The letter was intended to signify the PRRD’s concern about Northern Health’s recent decision to cancel the weekend and overnight on-call hours of the Tumbler Ridge Health Centre’s emergency room. 

According to Northern Health, the decision was made due to “the lack of available staff in the district,” and in an effort to stabilize coverage within the emergency department’s operating hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays. 

The new on-call schedule will only cover from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays.

Following a death in the community while en route to the Dawson Creek and District Hospital during the first weekend of Northern Health’s new policy, the health authority announced the changes would be temporary as community engagement continues. 

So far, Northern Health has held open houses on September 7th and 11th, and Neufeld held a public meeting with residents on September 12th to listen to residents’ concerns and opinions. 

The PRRD’s letter will join at least two other letters of opposition to the changes sent by the District of Tumbler Ridge and the District of Chetwynd. 

While the directors did not discuss the letter, Leonard Hiebert, board chair and director of Electoral Area D, stated during the vote it would be a “big debate” at the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) annual general meeting from September 22nd to 26th.