Editor:
Your recent story, Changes proposed to service levels at Prince Rupert Regional Hospital, contained comments that were part of a larger discussion around rural surgical services and require some clarification.
We value the critical services provided by physicians and health care workers throughout British Columbia, especially those in rural and remote communities where they are often called upon to go above and beyond the call of duty. General surgeons play an important role in ensuring residents of rural and remote communities have timely access to health care.
The ministry and health authorities aim to provide every British Columbian with as many health care services as close to their family and community as possible, no matter where they live in the province. Sometimes, we need to make difficult decisions when balancing access to services with ensuring the quality of those services.
For complex or infrequent procedures, evidence shows the best way to maintain safety and quality is for a doctor to treat a significant number of patients, so that the highest level of skill can be maintained. Having specialist services based in larger regional centres gives patients access to the highest quality care possible for these types of procedures, resulting in the best outcomes.
Prince Rupert is considered an important centre for health services, and I want to assure your readers that Northern Health has no plans to remove surgical services from this growing community.
Both the ministry and Northern Health are committed to providing quality patient care that’s both accessible and sustainable.
Terry Lake, Minister of Health