Province says 'significant efforts' underway to end ER closures on northern Vancouver Island
The British Columbia government says "significant efforts" are underway to improve access to health care on northern Vancouver Island, where prolonged emergency room closures have become routine since the summer.
"Staffing shortages and challenges on the North Island have created uncertainty," Health Minister Adrian Dix said Friday, announcing efforts to restore regular operating hours to emergency departments in Port Hardy, Port McNeill and Cormorant Island.
The ministry says emergency services are now available from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Port Hardy Hospital, and from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Cormorant Island Health Centre.
The Port McNeill Hospital is once again operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week, according to the province, which noted that regular, full-time hours will be restored across the region "as soon as possible."
"We have heard the community loud and clear. People need to know when services are available and when they are not," said Island Health president and CEO Kathy MacNeil in a statement Friday.
"To prevent unexpected closures, Island Health is temporarily suspending overnight emergency department services in Port Hardy and on Cormorant Island while our new measures come into place," she added.
"We will resume regular hours as soon as possible, and work to immediately accelerate efforts to expand services and strengthen staffing throughout the region."
PATIENT SHUTTLES LAUNCHED
The Vancouver Island health authority is launching a daily shuttle service between the Port Hardy and Port McNeill hospitals, as well as daily shuttles to Campbell River and the Comox Valley for patients and staff, according to the province.
"I have heard from many people in my constituency about the critical need for more health-care access in Port Hardy and surrounding areas," said North Island MLA Michele Babchuk.
"Our government is taking a multi-pronged approach to build out capacity, strengthen the workforce, and upgrade the facilities in the region. This is important news for our communities. The actions announced today not only address our immediate challenges, but also go further and will pave the way to modernizing and improving health care for North Island residents for years to come."
Island Health says it will spend $30 million over the coming months to expand diagnostic services and upgrade the Port Hardy and Port McNeill hospitals, as well as expanding substance-use, mental health and at-home health services in the region.
"These changes are a first and significant step to ensure reliable access to care, while the Ministry of Health works with Island Health on the many other actions underway to address health-care staffing challenges in the region," Dix said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Bomb-making materials found in vehicle and home of Trump rally shooting suspect: law enforcement
Law enforcement officials tell The Associated Press that bomb-making materials were found inside the vehicle of the man suspected in the Trump rally shooting. There were also bomb-making materials found at his home.
DEVELOPING Here's what we know about Thomas Matthew Crooks, the suspected Trump rally shooter
The FBI identified 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania as the suspect in Saturday's attempted assassination of former U.S. president Donald Trump at a campaign rally.
'Let me get my shoes': What was said on stage in the seconds after Trump was shot
Transcript of the audio from the shooting and aftermath at the podium with former President Donald Trump and Secret Service members.
Shannen Doherty, '90210' actress, dies at 53, People magazine reports
American actor Shannen Doherty, best known for her role as high school student Brenda Walsh on hit 1990s television drama "Beverly Hills, 90210," has died after years living with cancer, People magazine reported on Sunday. She was 53.
Kate, Princess of Wales, at Wimbledon in a rare public appearance since revealing she has cancer
The Princess of Wales attended the men's Wimbledon final at the All England Club on Sunday and handed out the winner's trophy to Carlos Alcaraz after the match in only her second public appearance since announcing she was diagnosed with cancer.
Ontario educational assistant charged after alleged relationship with 14-year-old boy
An educational assistant at a Catholic elementary school in Welland has been charged after allegedly having an "intimate relationship" with a 14-year-old boy who was her former student.
Mother searching for answers after son dies in OPP custody
The SIU is investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a 36-year-old man inside a Rockwood, Ont. police cell.
opinion Why 'paying yourself first' is the key to a comfortable retirement
One of the most effective retirement savings strategies is to pay yourself first. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines strategies for consistently saving and investing over time and building a solid nest egg.
Canada loses on penalties to Uruguay in Copa America 2024 third-place match
Luis Suárez tied the score two minutes into second-half stoppage time, and Uruguay beat Canada 4-3 on penalty kicks after a 2-2 draw on Saturday night to finish third in the Copa America.