June 3, 2008

NH asks for appropriate use of Mackenzie Hospital Emergency Room during physician shortage

Northern Health is asking residents of Mackenzie to make sure that they use the hospital’s emergency room wisely due to a reduced number of doctors in the community in the near future.

“It is normal for doctors to move around just like the rest of us – this is a temporary situation and Mackenzie as well as Valemount will both be eligible through the Family Physicians for BC Program, an incentive program designed to attract family physicians to communities that have demonstrated need,” said Pat Bell, MLA for Prince George North. “Our program, developed in partnership with the BC Medical Association, is helping to attract family physicians and it’s a great win for both the community and the physician.”

As of June 13, one physician will leave Mackenzie. With that departure, the community will need two new physicians and recruitment is underway to fill those positions. The two doctors remaining in Mackenzie will be working very hard to meet care needs, with some support from locum physicians. Doctors will be under increased stress if they have to respond to patients with non-urgent health issues who visit Mackenzie Hospital’s emergency room after hours.

“Mackenzie Hospital and its emergency room will remain open,” said Barb Crook, Mackenzie Hospital’s site manager. “But to ease stress on our doctors, we’re asking residents to only visit emergency after hours if they have an urgent medical condition. Patients with a non-urgent health issue can book an appointment with a family doctor during their regular office hours.”

Northern Health’s emergency rooms tend to patients who have experienced a sudden and/or unusual change in their health. This includes but isn’t limited to breathing difficulties, severe bleeding or pain, broken bones, chest pain and eye injuries.

Patients who don’t know whether their condition would warrant an emergency room visit can first call the BC NurseLine at 1-866-215-4700. Registered nurses at this line can provide health advice 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Northern Health is working to bring both locum and permanent physicians to the community. Recruitment efforts include:

• Standing advertisements on HealthMatch BC's website and Northern Health’s Careers website;

• Advertisements in the Canadian Medical Association Journal and the British Columbia Medical Journal; and

• Designating Mackenzie to be eligible for the Family Physicians for British Columbia (FPs4BC) program (a joint initiative of the Ministry of Health and the BC Medical Association that encourages physicians to establish a group practice in areas of need by assisting with financial support)

• Contacting past locums about opportunities in Mackenzie.

Media Contact:

Sonya Kruger

Communications Officer