To the editor:
The email sent to me from Robin Pascoe, A/Director Patient and Client Relations at the Ministry of Health dated February 17, 2017, was an interesting read.
The email stated, among other things, that “…….. the government has given the BC Renal Agency and Interior Health the flexibility and mandate to make decisions about how best to deliver dialysis services in the region.” It went on to say “Their decision to centralize the services in Williams Lake was difficult but was made in order to ensure the safety, quality and efficiency of these services”.
Really? What about the safety of patients travelling the treacherous roads in winter for treatment?
As you probably know, Mr and Mrs Wix are planning on selling their house and moving in order to be in an area where Mr Wix can receive the treatment he requires without the stress of travelling especially in the winter.
This is not a decision they wanted to make but which was forced on them as there is no treatment in 100 Mile House.
On speaking to Mr Wix today I learned there are two more ladies having to make the trip to Williams Lake for treatment who live in our area. Unfortunately, they are unable to take the HandyDart bus as it is not available on the days of their appointments. The bus only runs on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Therefore they must drive, or be driven three days a week.
The number of patients needing dialysis treatment in our area has now risen to four. We are wondering what is the magic number needed to have a machine in 100 Mile House? Are you made aware when the number rises?
Many families have left the area because of the lack of treatment in 100 Mile House, how many more will have to make the difficult decision to move?
In going through this effort to have a dialysis machine in 100 Mile another interesting observation is hearing the opinions of some of the doctors, nurses and members of the community on how they feel regarding the Interior Health Authority.
Donna Brown
Lone Butte
