On October 14, Northern Health posted an update to their Facebook page. “Over the past few weeks since we made temporary changes to on call after-hours coverage for Emergency Department services in Tumbler Ridge – shifting to a more direct 9-1-1 ambulance response on weeknights and weekends – Northern Health representatives have visited the community several times. We’ve met with local leaders, talked with residents, and supported physicians and staff at the Tumbler Ridge Health Centre.”
These conversations, say Northern Health, “help us better understand what matters most to the community.”
Once again, they reiterate that 24/7 emergency care is available in Tumbler Ridge. “The ER is open during regular hours, and if you call 911 after hours, two local ambulances and advanced care paramedics from Dawson Creek are ready to respond.”
This still doesn’t address the community’s big issue, that there is no emergency room service in town over night and on weekends. Northern Health says this will be difficult to achieve. “We’re facing staffing shortages and asking staff to work those hours risk leading to burnout. It’s also challenging to recruit to the former overnight and weekend on call schedule, and we don’t want to risk losing the recently added ambulance resources.”
They say many discussions, collaborative brainstorming, and planning are happening to help improve health services in Tumbler Ridge. “A big part of this work is hiring more medical staff, which is key to growing and improving services in the community. At the September 7 town hall meeting, key topics in the conversation included recruitment and retention, transportation options, primary care access, and making sure leadership is listening and taking action.
“During the September 11 roundtables, we heard more about the importance of access to primary care – like being able to book appointments when needed. People also shared concerns about travel distances and weather conditions making it harder to access care and asked questions about the challenges of recruiting to rural communities.”
They say that emergency care often means being transported to places with higher levels of care, where diagnostic, surgical, and other supports are available, especially when looking at smaller communities. “Having ambulances respond directly and take patients to that higher level of care shortens the time to reach those services, meaning faster access to care. Tumbler Ridge is fortunate to now have two ambulances operating 24/7, along with a newly- launched 24/7 advanced paramedic team in Dawson Creek.”
Northern Health says they are “working with local physicians and other health care providers on the Tumbler Ridge team to explore the opportunities for increased services and access when physician staffing levels improve – things like:
- Considering weekend health centre hours for same-day appointments;
- expanding the hours of emergency room service during the week;
- increasing other services like expanded IV infusions, or community seniors’ outreach.
“We know how important it is for people who live and work in Tumbler Ridge to have access to emergency care and primary care,” writes Northern Health. “We are grateful for the support and kindness you’ve shown to health care providers and staff in the community.
“BC EHS paramedics are licensed medical professionals who are trained to care for patients outside of a hospital setting, both at the scene of emergencies and during ambulance transport. Primary care paramedics provide medical treatments for a wide range of traumatic injuries and chronic and acute health conditions. This can include starting IVs, administering certain drugs, performing CPR and airway management during cardiac arrest, and more. Advanced Care Paramedics specialize in advanced care of medical and trauma patients, with the ability to provide a higher level of care including medications and treatment with a focus on advanced cardiac resuscitation.”
However, the District was not convinced that this would go far enough for the residents in the community: “While the District appreciates Northern Health’s acknowledgment of residents’ concerns, the update does not provide the clear assurance that our community continues to seek: confirmation that 24/7 Emergency Room services in Tumbler Ridge will resume as soon as possible,” says the letter from Mayor and Council.
“The information provided instead outlines reasons for the ongoing after-hours closure and references ambulance transport to Dawson Creek as a means of ensuring timely access to care. This remains deeply concerning to Council and residents, who continue to emphasize the need for local, around-the-clock emergency services to ensure community safety and confidence.
“Council continues to explore all possible interim measures, including support from the Virtual Emergency Room Rural Assistance (VERRa) program, which could help restore services while recruitment efforts continue.
“The District is also concerned that the longer the ER remains closed after hours, the greater the risk of losing existing medical and support staff — further compounding an already difficult recruitment and retention challenge.
“The District remains committed to advocating for the restoration of 24/7 emergency coverage in Tumbler Ridge and to working constructively with Northern Health toward a sustainable solution that reflects our community’s needs and realities.”
Trent is the publisher of Tumbler RidgeLines.
