Victorian Hospital ER hours to change in April
By Nelson Daily Staff
Interior Health is proceeding with changing the hours of operation at the Victorian Community Health Centre after doctors were unable to follow through with a proposed plan for 24/7 emergency department coverage.
IH made the announcement Thursday, effective Tuesday, April 1, the new hours at the Kaslo-based health center will be Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the exception of statutory holidays.
“Interior Health sincerely appreciates the efforts physicians have made to support emergency services in Kaslo,” said Andrew Neuner, VP Community Integrated Health Services in an emailed statement.
“Our focus remains building a strong robust primary care centre with ready access to physicians, diagnostic testing and public health nursing services.”
IH had proposed the new daytime hours would begin for the Emergency Room would begin, Monday, January 6, 2014.
But with time running out, a new proposal made by a group of physicians.
Doctors informed Interior Health officials the group would like to explore a “fee-for-service” option rather than “contract compensation model”.
However, the IH recently received notification from the physician group that they are unable to move forward with their proposal to provide 24/7 emergency department coverage.
The physicians group found there were not enough physicians to make the proposal viable.
“We will continue to recruit physicians who are committed to providing consistent services that meet the majority of residents’ health-care needs during the busiest hours of the week,” Neuner said.
In the release IH said the change in service means transportation to neighbouring sites is critical in emergency situations.
Interior Health is working in partnership with the BC Ambulance Service (BCAS) to ensure residents have timely access to high level care using skilled paramedics (both on the ground and in the air), and Interior Health’s High Acuity Response Team (HART) based in Trail.
This practice, which is in place at other Interior Health sites without 24/7 emergency department coverage, recognizes that it is vital to minimize the time to high level care the release went onto say.
As staffing allows, the Kaslo emergency department will be open 24/7 until the new hours take effect in April.
There may still be times when limited nursing and/or physician availability will result in emergency department closures in the months ahead.
Residents should call 9-1-1 in any emergency and they will be transported to a facility with a higher level of care.
When the emergency department is closed, residents will find a public phone available outside VCHC to call 9-1-1.
For less urgent matters, area residents may choose to drive to the emergency department at Kootenay Lake Hospital in Nelson or call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1.
The toll-free line provides 24-hour, confidential health information and advice from a registered nurse.
Interior Health will continue to collaborate with the Kaslo and Area D Health Care Select Committee (previously called the Kaslo and Area Health Care Working Group) on ways to enhance health services for the residents of the community.
