Rural communities throughout BC continue to experience reduce services, closed ERs, extended travel and unacceptable access to care. Over the past several months there has been an increase in the number of communities and people impacted by the current and ongoing healthcare crisis in our province. The BC Rural Health Network has been inundated with concerns raised from our membership and the public. The BC Rural Health Network recognizes that staff shortages in healthcare exist for all BC residents and our urban neighbors also endure a degrading healthcare system.
Rural lives are being put at additional risk due to the lack of care available within safe travelling distances. The rural residents of BC need new management approaches that involve the voice of the local residents. We need the managers of our services to be held accountable to the communities they serve.
Today the BC Rural Health Network has made numerous requests to meet with the decision makers (an example below) and political powers in our Province and we hope to provide more positive news as these meetings occur and some potential solutions to the crisis are forwarded.
The BC Rural Health Network is the healthcare voice of the rural residents of British Columbia and seeks better health outcomes for all people, through solutions-based approaches with governments, and information provision to residents.