“Low morale and other issues unique to #NorthernHealth are likely contributing to the exceptionally dire staffing in #Smithers. No staff are speaking publicly with fears of professional retaliation a major concern.” #RuralHealth https://mstdn.social/@pennydaflos/110897048803628331

Smithers unattached patient clinic expands services - #Smithers Interior News https://www.interior-news.com/news/smithers-unattached-patient-clinic-expands-services/ “Since adding the capacity to take appointments for patients without a family physician, the clinic has attached 320 patients to a #NursePractitioner (NP) primary care provider and provided more than 600 patient visits according to a #NorthernHealth press release.

“We are listening to people in B.C., and that is why we are creating clinics with nurse practitioners and #FamilyPhysicians”

New hospital in Dawson Creek moves forward | BC Gov News https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2023HLTH0093-001028 “construction starting in July for the new #DawsonCreek and District #Hospital.

In co-ordination with #NorthernHealth and Infrastructure BC, Graham Design Builders LP has been named the preferred proponent on the project.

Construction is expected to begin in July 2023, with substantial completion in fall 2026. The new hospital is expected to be ready for patients in 2027.”

https://www.cbc.ca/news/science/what-on-earth-youth-climate-corps-1.6862014 “Manvi Bhalla wants to spend her life working on climate change.

The PhD student at the University of British Columbia #UBC has a summer internship with the #NorthernHealth agency assessing the health risks posed by #ClimateChange in #northernB.C.

She's grateful for the opportunity and the living wage she'll be earning, "but this is a summer-term job," Bhalla, 25, told #WhatOnEarth. "I want this to be a long-term job."

https://www.princegeorgecitizen.com/local-news/northern-health-has-588-per-cent-more-hospital-deaths-after-major-surgery-than-the-rest-of-bc-6883032

“#DawsonCreek & District Hospital has the highest rate of hospital deaths after major surgery in #NorthernHealth at 5.3 per cent, while the #UniversityHospitalofNorthernBC located in #PrinceGeorge has a rate of 3.6 per cent. The best result is at #PrinceRupert Regional Hospital that has a rate of 1.5 per cent, sitting below the B.C. average of 1.8 per cent. The national rate is at two per cent, while Northern Health is at 3.3 per cent.”

https://www.princegeorgecitizen.com/local-news/northern-health-takes-over-prince-george-surgery-centre-6867671 “When you or someone you love requires a surgery, long wait times can be stressful and disheartening,” said Health Minister Adrian Dix. “That's why we are supporting #NorthernHealth in taking on surgical operations at the #PrinceGeorgeSurgeryCentre where people requiring low-complexity procedures can receive care. This will also allow the #UniversityHospitalofNorthernBritish Columbia to prioritize capacity for more complex surgeries.”

#NorthernHealth say possible interruptions for the hospital will take place from Friday to Tuesday morning. They say this may impact expecting mothers that are in of need procedures like #Csections.

These interruptions, similar to the ones faced by Dawson Creek last weekend, are because of a gap in coverage of #anesthesiologists

#RuralHealth

https://www.cjdctv.com/possible-interruptions-at-the-fort-st-john-hospital-over-easter-1.6346696

“There are various numbers and statistics to quantify how short-staffed the #healthcare system is in #NorthernBC but it’s the toll .. that shows just how dire the situation is.
Some drive hours for routine medical tests, others must gauge the next closest hospital when faced with a temporary closure of their community’s [ER], patients completing their 2nd trimester of pregnancy.. must relocate to larger towns in order to safely deliver their babies.” #NorthernHealth

https://bc.ctvnews.ca/poaching-profiting-forced-moves-realities-of-inequitable-healthcare-in-northern-b-c-1.6285497

#NorthernHealth remains our sweet sad silent health authority that has not been seen since 2020.

/Fin

In a report titled “#NorthernHealth Board #HumanResources Report,” the board of directors of Northern Health were told “20.31 per cent of our baseline positions are unfilled” with 55 per cent of hires leaving within three years of service, and that “health service providers are departing the organization at nearly the same rate as they are recruited.”

https://bc.ctvnews.ca/health-care-vacancies-grow-in-much-of-b-c-as-advocacy-ramps-up-1.6276093