Strong words from Dr. Steve Evans, President of the SOGH Medical staff on uncovered shifts at the emergency ward:

“….Changes will need to take place or there will be no sustained coverage for the emergency department of this hospital. At present we have had several uncovered shifts at the hospital.”

In a letter to both Town Councils in Oliver and Osoyoos – Dr. Evans states that “Our local hospital over the last several years has undergone a significant change in the practice model for the physicians – with the removal of obstetrics, pediatrics, surgery and many inpatient community hospital beds and seeing the transfer of support services to Penticton.

With an aging roster of local doctors – only about half are prepared to taken on emergency ward services. The doctors in a presentation to council say: “We are requesting your assistance in finding viable long term solutions for our community.

Evans says the workload means that doctor’s practices, families and personal health are affected and this will not continue.