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By Adam Berls

psychiatric care

Petition launched to bring a psychiatric hospital to Northern B.C.

Aug 27, 2024 | 4:17 PM

PRINCE GEORGE — A Prince George psychiatrist has written a letter to city council and started an online petition, calling for the development of a psychiatric hospital in Northern B.C. The psychiatrist says that a critical lack of access to differing levels of psychiatric care, is putting people at risk.

Dr. Barbara Kane, who has been a psychiatrist in Prince George since 1990, wrote in her petition that:

“We must advocate for the development of long-term secure psychiatric services, such as a psychiatric hospital or an equivalent facility. A concerted effort to improve the accessibility of psychiatric services is not just beneficial to the affected individuals – it will contribute to the overall health and stability of our communities. We have seen that no amount of community resources will be adequate in place of a long term secure facility.”

Dr. Kane says that lack of resources is putting unnecessary strain on the residents of these communities, their families, and on hospitals. She also mentioned that if a bed is not available in the psychiatric unit for a patient dealing with a mental health crisis, they could end up being placed into a unit that has nothing to do with psychiatric care, putting the patient and others, at risk.

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“They go to other places, they go to the surgery wards, sometimes they even go to pediatrics and maternity, if we’re really overcrowded.” – Dr. Barbara Kane

Dr. Kane’s petition online, currently has over 1,000 signatures.

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X: @AdamBerls

Email: Adam.Berls@pattisonmedia.com