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IHA Rejects Call for Big White Treatment Facility
IHA representatives say no to requests for a publicly funded health care center in Big White BC. Despite being the largest regional tax base for the Kootenay Boundary (approximately $5 million), Big White will continue to receive zero of the $13 million dollars in annual RDKB IHA funding. When asked about future funding IHA authorities confirm they have no plans for a medical needs assessment or physician supply plan.
Residents of Big White voiced concerns at their recent Annual
General Meeting, on Nov.9, 2006. Many expressed feelings that
their health needs are being ignored by IHA
representatives. In
an open letter to IHA presented at the meeting local physician, Dr.
Mike Figurski, expressed concerns that lack of a diagnostic and
treatment center continues to place residents and visitors at
risk. Citing dangerous driving conditions and high numbers of
sports injuries due to the active recreation and high number of
seasonal visitors, he echoed calls from local leaders to reinvest some
health care dollars in a seasonal care center.
Dr. Figurski notes
- In 2005 all $300,000 for new capital projects was diverted fund projects in Grand Forks and Trail while no patients from Big White are seen at those facilities. Taking direction from Carol Markowsky, Cheif Operation Officer of the IHA, the Board of Directors of the West Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital District determine capital projects for the Boundary Kootenay health services area.
- Big White is not mentioned or considered in the IH Local Area Health Profile of the Kettle Valley.
- The Kettle Valley Health area, including Big White, has over 3 times the provincial average of auto fatalities (see link above). Maintaining distant diagnostic and emergency treatment facilities contribute to this grim statistic by forcing already injured persons to undertake emergency travel for problems that could be adressed on site.
- Despite assurances that IH would develop a Physician Supply Plan (PSP) for Big White since 2003, no plan has been established, and IH currently has no timeframe for its development.
