Healthcare system still under extreme stress, as rural ER closures and staff shortages continue

PRINCE GEORGE — BC’s healthcare system has been under extreme stress and pressure ever since the Covid-19 pandemic began, and three years afterwards, the situation is not getting any better.

At the beginning of March, the federal government and the B.C. government announced an agreement in principle for a shared plan that will invest $27.47 billion in federal funding for healthcare in BC. However, this announcement has not solved the problems plaguing BC’s healthcare system. Recently, rural healthcare has been in the forefront, as Merritt, an hour southwest of Kamloops, had to shut down their emergency room over the weekend, and was only opened this morning. MLA for Prince George-Valemount and opposition health critic Shirley Bond says that rural BC is facing significant challenges throughout the system.

The agreement in principle between Ottawa and BC says that 273 million will be a one time top up to address urgent needs particularly for pediatric hospitals, emergency rooms and long wait times for surgeries. The money from this deal, is also supposed to support access to high-quality family health services when they need them, including in rural and remote areas. But, the problems will continue, Bond says, unless government takes action now.