Interior Health has hired a fourth doctor for Kaslo. Dr. Chantal Guillemette began practicing at the village’s health centre on April 1, joining fellow physicians Isabelle-Anne Fontaine, Shelina Musaji, and Fen Smit. The four doctors fill two full-time positions.
Mayor Suzan Hewat says she’s happy about that. It wasn’t long ago that Kaslo relied on temporary doctors working as locums.
But Hewat and the Village of Kaslo’s select health committee are still pushing for seven-day coverage.
Last December, the health authority announced it was looking at that possibility, and a decision would be made by April 1. But in a news release last week, the health authority stated it is “not in a position to expand primary care services on the weekend. The community will be notified of any changes when they are available.”
Hewat said she understands the issue of weekend coverage involves not so much the doctors but rather unionized support staff at the health centre.
Health care in Kaslo, including physician services, is provided by contract employees of the health authority, not by doctors in private practice.