HISTORIC MURAL | First World War internment camp painting planned for downtown Vernon [A6]
Morning gStar
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Friday, Nov. 16, 2012
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BOATS TAKE FLIGHT LISA VANDERVELDE/MORNING STAR
Bob McDonnell (left) hooks up his boat to the crane as they prepare to lift it from the water Saturday during the Vernon Yacht Club’s fall crane day. Don Craske (below front) steadies his boat the Ayesha with the help of Dave Pollock (left) and Roger Price as it is lowered onto its trailer by a crane.
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Enderby down to one doctor our residents.” Cyr believes part of the solution One doctor could be left serving rests with IHA and the provincial 7,200 people. government changing the funding That’s the prospect facing res- model for doctors. idents of Enderby, “Currently, there is a the rural area and the limit to how much they Splatsin First Nation can bill per patient per when one of two practisday,” he said. ing physicians leaves in “The model was put early 2013. into place 20 years ago. “It’s very troubling,” We had a doctor move to said Howie Cyr, Enderby Merritt and they are likely mayor. doing better financially Many residents don’t there than here. It’s a disHowie Cyr have the ability to drive incentive for Enderby.” to Vernon or Salmon As part of recruitment, Arm for appointments. Pearase suggests a possi“I feel badly for seniors who are ble focus may be foreign physicians. stressed about where they will get “We want doctors who their health care from,” want to stay here and see said Cyr. the benefit of living in Jackie Pearase, regiona small community,” she al director, is concerned said. residents in areas like Dr. Alan Stewart, IHA Kingfisher may have to senior medical directravel some distance for tor for community and care. residential services, says “It may give people one new doctor will start the thought of moving to in August, and there are Jackie Pearase Vernon or Salmon Arm,” talks with other individushe said. als. “If your health is in precarious “The discussions are progressing condition, you want to be close to nicely,” he said. your doctor.” “Enderby is a terrific spot for Enderby had five physicians a primary care physician and we but those numbers have shrunk by are looking for long-term committhree over nine months for various ments from the physicians we are reasons. Presently, there are two recruiting.” at a private clinic and none at the IHA is also working on an Interior Health Authority’s health interim plan between January and centre. August. Recruitment is underway and “We will have locum physicians, IHA has told Cyr there could be itinerant physicians that work two new doctors by next summer. around the province,” said Stewart. “They are doing the best they can Stewart, who holds a clinic in but summer is a long ways off,” said Enderby twice a month, also points Cyr, adding that an interim plan out that there is a nurse practitioner is required to cover the pending at the health centre. vacancy in January. “We are trying to fill the gap and “That’s hollow reassurance for we are being successful,” he said. RICHARD ROLKE
Morning Star Staff
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