Dr. REM Lee Hospital Foundation's Closer to Home campaign hailed in Legislature by MLA Ross

Skeena MLA Ellis Ross called attention to some of the health care challenges found in the Northwest, while also hailing the work of the REM lee Hospital Foundation in Terrace, speaking to their work as part of a wider presentation to the Legislature on Wednesday.

In his comments, the MLA provided a snapshot for those in the Chamber of what residents of the region face on a day to day basis in the many communities of the northwest.

Emily's baby isn't due for another five weeks, but suddenly, there are signs the birth is imminent. She and her family rush to Mills Memorial Hospital in Terrace, and it's a treacherous and unpredictable drive in the fall, winter and spring on northern B.C. roads. 

At the hospital, they put Emily in an ambulance by herself and whisk her to the airport and pray that the weather allows for the 90-minute flight to Vancouver. If not, it's another 90-minute ambulance ride to the next airport, and again, they pray for better weather.

He then shifted the focus towards the current campaign by the REM Lee Hospital foundation to adding to Neo-natal care in the region.

The Dr. R.E.M. Lee Hospital Foundation has started the Closer to Home campaign to add a new neonatal intensive care unit to Mills Memorial Hospital in Terrace, B.C. 

Mills Memorial Hospital serves patients well beyond the Skeena constituency, with almost one birth every day. Mills Memorial Hospital services communities from Atlin, Dease Lake, Prince Rupert, Kitimat, Houston, Smithers and Haida Gwaii, as there are no other T3 hospitals in the northwest service delivery area.

Mr. Ross also noted how the current situation of transit to far off hospitals for care is something that local health officials hope to one day bring to an end.

More than 75,000 people, including 40,000 First Nations, in 28 communities, experience what Emily experienced. 

Mary Denton, who had to be flown down, said: "The isolation of suddenly being down there and trying to figure out everything for back home was an absolute nightmare." 

To paraphrase Ron Bartlett, chair of the Dr. R.E.M Lee Hospital Foundation, to have infants and newborns prepped to be put on an airplane to be shipped to Vancouver, when they really should be cuddling their mom — that's pretty harsh on a little one. 

The financial goal is simple: $14.5 million. 

But the goal is extraordinarily needed to keep vulnerable babies and their anxious mothers and families closer to home, because our children matter.

You can review his presentation to the Legislature from the Video below.

To learn more about the REM Lee Foundation and their work see their website or Facebook page.

More items of note from the Legislature can be explored through our archive page.