Frustrations over health care services at PRRH bubble up on Social Media

Delays in required lab and X-ray work at 
Prince Rupert Regional Hospital have been 
relayed by a number of local residents

With the concerns over COVID now in the rear view mirror for most in the region, some of the conversation on Health Care is shifting back towards more familiar topics and the state of some of the health care services offered through the Prince Rupert Regional Hospital is making for some vocal concern of late.

The Northern Health Facebook page dedicated to Prince Rupert themes has been the focal point for that discussion, with what had been a growing number of residents weighing in with concerns, before the discussion topic was closed for further comment.

The main thrust of the frustrations coming from the delays in booking appointments for such things as blood work, X-rays and such that are offered through the Summit Avenue health care facility.

Some of the delays have been attributed why Northern Health officials to the hospital being down to one X ray machine and a recent fire at hospital that saw the lab relocated to the fourth floor of the Hospital.

Some of the replies to those who asked questions on the
Northern Health Facebook Page for Prince Rupert this week

The lab work element seems to be the one that has raised the most concern, the once familiar option of a drop in option where you sat in the reception area a the lab and waited for a spot during the day came to an end with COVID and now booked appointments make for the more recent procedure. 

That however has seen many of those discussing the issue noting how they are now months away from local appointments at the Prince Rupert lab, some advising that they decided to take the ninety minute drive to Terrace to have the work done in that community.

The full discussion, up until the closing of comments, can be reviewed from the Northern Health Facebook page here.

The observation of residents of Prince Rupert deciding to make that trip to Terrace for a simple five minute blood test should make for something of note for Councillor Barry Cunningham, who has been trying to get a local Health Care Advisory Committee launched. 

An oft mention ambition towards local health care, that continues to remain stalled even after it was reintroduced to Council earlier this year.

In March the councillor reminded his fellow councillors of the long timeline that is in place now from when he first introduced the idea of an Advisory Committee, noting at the time of some of the concerns on local health care that he had heard about from residents of the city.

The topic once again came up for discussion at City Council in April and May.

The most recent update arriving in June when Mayor Lee Brain outlined how he saw the current status of the initiative and what is required before the Committee plans can see some further momentum.

"Well, we're waiting for a presentation from Northern Health so I won't be moving forward on any terms of reference until we have that presentation which I believe is still, they had some holiday scheduling, so I'm not gonna do anything until we have a chance to communicate with them and have a chance to communicate with Northern Health about some of the direction that they feel. 

Because ultimately I think we need to talk to Northern Health  and see where things are at and see how we can be best involved, so we'll see what they have to say about that too" -- Mayor Lee Brain on the status of plans for a city led Health Advocacy Committee at the June Council session

Judging by the feedback that Northern Health is receiving through Social Media, the Mayor and Council may talking to the wrong group if they want to get a full overview of where the trouble spots are in health care in the community.

Concerns over declines in health care in Prince Rupert may only grow now that the province has announced the start of construction of the new Mills Memorial hospital in Terrace. 

It has often been a theme from past Council sessions that the once the new facility in Terrace is in operation Prince Rupert health care users may see a shift in services to that community; something that may also be of interest to the local health Advisory Committee if it ever gets launched.

More notes on Health Care in the Northwest can be reviewed from our archive pages.

Further themes from Prince Rupert City Council can be explored here.