To All People of the South Okanagan,

As a person who owes her life to ER staff at South Okanagan General Hospital, I’ve been following the situation with our local doctors closely. I must say that I am a bit surprised that more people aren’t up in arms about the possible loss of our valuable 24/7/365 emergency care.

The request to get our doctors on the same compensation schedule as Penticton Regional Hospital or better, seems so simple. It’s frustrating that the Ministry is complicating their response with “reports and studies”, and that their very slow pace, will leave our community ER crippled (closed a minimum of 2 days per week, I hear).  Presently they are being compensated for September.  What happens next month and after that?

I don’t blame our doctors. They work endless hours in the ER, they try to carry on their practices over-tired and fitting in patients the very best they can. Most of them work long hours at the expense of their families. How can we expect them and new doctors to maintain practices in Oliver/Osoyoos when they can operate in better conditions for more money elsewhere?  We are burning them out, and soon they will all leave. It is not just about money, they just want to know and feel they are giving the best possible service and care to their patients.

Ten months ago, I needed to see a doctor. I sensed that it was more than allergies that were making me feel horrible. My regular GP was fully booked for at least a week, so I went to the SOGH Emergency. Fortunately for me, the Doctor on duty suspected something was wrong and took immediate action. To make a long story short, I (a seemingly healthy person) was moments away from severe heart failure and AF. If it wasn’t for having the option to see a physician at our local ER, I may have waited a week for a check-up and I may very well not be here today.

The special care I continue to receive from my doctor (both in Oliver and away from home), the nurses and staff at our hospital are invaluable. I’d like to encourage everyone in Oliver to write an email to MLA John Slater and The Ministry of Health. Tell your story, show your support and let the decision-makers know that we want an “alternate payment plan for improved services in our emergency room and for our Doctors in general ”, and we want it put into place now—before someone dies on route to Penticton because our ER could be closed two days a week.

Val Somerville

Direct your Emails to:

Minister of Health, Honourable Michael de Jong email: hlth.minister@gov.bc.ca

MLA, John Slater email: john.slater.mla@leg.bc.ca