Elk Valley and South Country Health Care Coalition Meetings

Elk Valley and South Country Health Care Coalition O.R. Status
Email: patrick@evsos.com Webpage: www.evsos.com/
Whats happening with the Operation Room and Hospital The Province and Interior Health are trying to eliminate The Fernie O.R. (Operating Room). What does this mean to you? Currently the numbers of Surgical Procedures are on the rise in Fernie, up 12% from 356 in 1998 to 432 in 2002. There is also 1600 surgical opinions provided by the surgeon. There was 38 surgeries after hours, meaning emergencies. This does not count the day emergencies. If the O.R. closes it would end over a 100 years of babies being born in Fernie Hospitals There is 125 births in Fernie this year and 25 C-Sections, some at the last minute. This means if the O.R. was discontinued then all the women having babies would have to go to Cranbrook. 40% Loss of beds in the past 2 years at Fernie Hospital and 70% loss since 1990. Hospital lost 12 beds in the past 2 years (from 32 and now is 18-20 beds). In 1990 the Fernie Hospital had 66 beds. The hospital is currently running 110% capacity. It was mentioned that the recent cut was not necessary as the current staffing could hand 32 beds with no extra staffing and minimal costs. Ambulance service to Cranbrook has take up to 5 hours to get medical service for some patients. O.R. and support services (PYSIO, XRAY, LAB, Etc.) under attack by province. Possible loss for Elkford of their Physio Therapist. Fernie is loosing 3 jobs in Laundry and laundry is being transported to Cranbrook. The Fernie Laundry was previously going flat out. Our goal is to keep current services including the O.R. and support services (PYSIO, XRAY, LAB, Etc.) for Fernie, Sparwood, Elkford and South Country. We are also looking for a solution to transportation problems for appointments outside the Elk Valley. Informaiton was provided by a local physician at our July 2nd meeting.

Elk Valley and South Country
Health Care Coalition O.R. Status

Email: patrick@evsos.com
Webpage: www.evsos.com/

Whats happening with the Operation Room and Hospital

The Province and Interior Health are trying to eliminate The Fernie O.R. (Operating Room). What does this mean to you?

Currently the numbers of Surgical Procedures are on the rise in Fernie, up 12% from 356 in 1998 to 432 in 2002. There is also 1600 surgical opinions provided by the surgeon. There was 38 surgeries after hours, meaning emergencies. This does not count the day emergencies.

If the O.R. closes it would end over a 100 years of babies being born in Fernie Hospitals

There is 125 births in Fernie this year and 25 C-Sections, some at the last minute. This means if the O.R. was discontinued then all the women having babies would have to go to Cranbrook.

40% Loss of beds in the past 2 years at Fernie Hospital and 70% loss since 1990.

Hospital lost 12 beds in the past 2 years (from 32 and now is 18-20 beds).
In 1990 the Fernie Hospital had 66 beds. The hospital is currently running 110% capacity.
It was mentioned that the recent cut was not necessary as the current staffing could hand 32 beds with no extra staffing and minimal costs.

Ambulance service to Cranbrook has take up to 5 hours to get medical service for some patients.

O.R. and support services (PYSIO, XRAY, LAB, Etc.) under attack by province.
Possible loss for Elkford of their Physio Therapist.
Fernie is loosing 3 jobs in Laundry and laundry is being transported to Cranbrook. The Fernie Laundry was previously going flat out.

Our goal is to keep current services including the O.R. and support services (PYSIO, XRAY, LAB, Etc.) for Fernie, Sparwood, Elkford and South Country.
We are also looking for a solution to transportation problems for appointments outside the Elk Valley.

Informaiton was provided by a local physician at our July 2nd meeting.