FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION:

 Overnight Emergency Room Closures at the Kitimat General Hospital


Kitimat BC, July 25, 2023 — The District of Kitimat shares the concerns with the recent overnight emergency room (ER) closures at the Kitimat General Hospital. Mayor Germuth is in communication with Administrators of the Northern Health Authority (NHA) and remains an advocate for keeping our emergency room open. The District continues to regularly communicate with Northern Health.

 

On July 13, a meeting of community leaders with a stake in local healthcare was held. This high-level conversation initiated by the Kitimat Health Advocacy Group, and organized by the District and Northern Health, led to a resolution for action that was unanimously endorsed by Council at their July 17 meeting, “That the District of Kitimat work with the Haisla Nation, Kitimat Health Advocacy Group, Northern Health Authority and local industry and agencies to develop options and a budget for attraction and retention of healthcare professionals”. Efforts are currently underway to move this forward.

 

As in the past, in 2023 Council supported health care locally by providing a grant to the Kitimat Health Advocacy Group who act as a liaison between the community and health care professionals by offering various incentives to attract and retain health care workers. Mayor and Council have consistently advocated for health care services within our community to the Ministry of Health at annual UBCM conventions and through the North Central Local Government Association. Past resolutions have requested support for our local hospital, the retention of surgeons and services, improved services, improved efficiency for accreditation of foreign trained health professionals, local retention of emergency response services and more.

 

Council is cognisant of the growing health care situation and is taking active steps to support our local hospital and health care workers. Council has requested a meeting with the Minister of Health at September’s UBCM convention to continue the legacy of advocacy. The Mayor has also put in an urgent request to Minister Dix to discuss Kitimat’s health care situation in advance of the UBCM convention in September.

 

We share this with you to let you know that your concerns are heard, and Council has been, and will continue to be, an advocate for our local health care.

 

For More Information:

Walsham Tenshak, Director of Economic Development and Communications
District of Kitimat
250-632-8900
wtenshak@kitimat.ca

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