Despite a setback, a committee trying to preserve round-the-clock emergency room coverage in Kaslo isn't giving up on recruiting more doctors.
Interior Health has announced emergency department hours at the Victorian Community Health Centre will be reduced to Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. as of April 1. The news comes after several reprieves, the latest just before Christmas while a group of physicians explored a fee-for-service model.
However, the Kaslo and area health care select committee said it agrees "all available avenues" for keeping 24/7 health care have been explored and exhausted. Now, it said, residents need to focus on attracting medical professionals "to rebuild a sustainable service model for the community."
In a statement, the committee said its interim objectives include a five-day work week for doctors, although not necessarily Monday to Friday. It also wants improvements to paramedical services made a high priority.
The committee further wants to participate in discussions around reorganizing emergency services, nursing staffing, and choosing a new site supervisor for the hospital. It plans to interview doctors who have left Kaslo or decided not to work there to learn their reasons.
The committee is thinking about hosting a public meeting within the next six weeks to "better understand what has happened and what needs to be done."
The group is also taking donations to support recruitment efforts.