CARING CANADIAN | Vernon’s Helen Sidney earns Governor General award [A6]
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Morning gStar Friday, Jan. 24, 2014
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Service to pay tribute to Nicol RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star Staff
A co-operative effort is underway to ensure Vernonites can pay tribute to a respected civic leader. A memorial service for Coun. Patrick Nicol, who died Jan. 15 from cancer, will be held Monday, Feb. 3 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at Trinity United Church. Planning is underway between the family, Trinity United and the City of Vernon. “It’s appropriate given Patrick’s work in his life,” said Mayor Rob Sawatzky. “One of the best ways to honour his life is to work together.” A large turnout is expected as Nicol was a popular broadcaster, a city councillor for 22 years and regional district chairperson. Trinity United can accommodate about 900 people, so satellite locations with video feed may be established elsewhere. The city hopes to confirm those locations early next week. Measures are also being taken to provide additional parking on Alexis Park Drive, near the church, while allowing traffic flow to continue.
TIM FITZGERALD/SILVER STAR MOUNTAIN
Jeff Thompson of the B.C. Para Alpine Ski Club makes his way down Big Dipper en route to a first-place finish in the men’s giant slalom during the BC Adaptive Snowsports’ Building Our Best races at Silver Star Mountain Resort Saturday.
CT break down causes anxiety RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star Staff
Some physicians are demanding action after a key piece of equipment at Vernon Jubilee Hospital was out of service. The computed tomography (CT) scanner broke down Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. and was repaired by 3 p.m. Wednesday. “We were sending life and limb cases to Kelowna and for those less urgent cases, we rescheduled until after the CT scan was back up and running,” said Nancy Serwo, hospital administrator. While the scanner, which takes X-rays of the inside of the body, was only down a short time,
it was originally anticipated it may be unavailable until today as parts had to be ordered. The current CT scan is five years old and the prospect of not having access to the service for an extended period is a concern for physicians. “From an emergency department standpoint, not having access to a scanner for 24, 48 or 72 hours doesn’t work,” said a member of medical staff who asked not to be identified. “If a patient comes in from a car accident or is having a medical emergency and they need a CT scan now, they need it now. Sending them to Salmon Arm or Kelowna for their CT is not what we should be doing. We need that back-up system.”
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However, Interior Health doesn’t believe there is a need for a second CT scan at this time. “We look at the waitlist and utilization and it ebbs and flows,” said Serwo. “The wait is about eight weeks for urgent cases and 20 weeks for non-urgent.” Serwo added that IHA must also consider the broad equipment needs for the entire hospital and the funds available. When the scanner was purchased in 2008, the $2 million price tag was paid for by the Ministry of Health and the North Okanagan Columbia Shuswap Regional Hospital District, while IH must provide operating funds.
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This poster was put up at VJH after the CT scanner broke down Tuesday. The machine was back up and running Wednesday.
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