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IN THIS ISSUE: A very special art show: one night only at Oxygen page 9

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Gyro Park gets a fence-lift Designer and metal artist Patrick McIvor has been commissioned by the City of Nelson to build and install a fence at the lookout at Gyro Park. The design of the fence, constructed of steel, is in keeping with the local environment and displays embellishments meant to be fun for families who visit the area. The fence is just less than 100 feet long. The city was required to install a fence for safety reasons, but instead of putting up chain-link, they took the opportunity to invite artists to submit proposals. The result is a beautiful piece of art in a public space. NELSON BECKER

Crisis at KBRH averted, but seniors will suffer T.E. HARDY The crisis facing the Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital (KBRH) has for the moment been resolved but seniors still experience a shortfall in services. The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Seniors (SPCS) was among the large group of demonstrators who held a vocal yet dignified rally outside the hospital in Trail, while a meeting was taking place on Monday April 12th between representatives of the Interior Health Authority (IHA) and the hospital’s doctors, nurses and managerial

staff. The opposition across the board to extensive changes proved to be victorious, and services, while being restructured, will be maintained at their current level. “This was a fight that could never end,” explained Dr. Andre De Greef, chief of surgery at the hospital, “either an agreement could be reached or the hospital would close.” Prior to the meeting, doctors had taken the step of expressing a vote of no confidence in the IHA and were adamant that patient care was going to suffer. The restructuring at the hospital is necessary to maintain the “highest pos-

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Wednesday April 21, 2010 Vol. 22 No. 20

sible service levels we can... with the resources available,” said Frank Marino, Health Service Administrator. To save funds Operating Room (OR) time-slots will��� be reduced from 20 to 16� per week with some procedures now taking place��� at the ambulatory site that require less staff and equip-��� ment. The number of fulltime OR nurses will also be reduced from 19 to 12 with 7 positions becoming part-time. It is estimated this will result in $400,000 of savings. “We need,” said Dr. De Greef, “new structures for medical input so conflict never happens again...so

local people have input.” the years,” says Maureen living centers and private Indeed the changes being Mitchell from Fruitvale, family care homes; the lack implemented are the very a member of Connected of home support services; ones proposed by doctors Communities Group and the need for help in paying and nurses 7 months ago SPCS, “have had a huge for medications; the lack ��� ����������������������������� ���������������������������������������������� of acute care for seniors making this fight “a waste impact on seniors because ������������������ in Nelson and the lack of of everyone’s time.” And they depend so much� on ������������������ such community input, the system. The govern- a quick-response nurse in ��������������������� Castlegar; the slow response according to Dr. De Greef, ment believes in the ���pri- ��������������������� by residents and by older vate delivery of health to surgeries deemed elective; transportation issues; experienced doctors in the care...that is the direction ��� ������������������ ������������������ region, is precisely what is they are taking it.” Says Ron and poor planning for the Cameron; “We are protect- increasing elderly populaneeded to effectively deal ��� ���������������������������������������������� Medicare services so tion in the Kootenays. with the continuing prob- �ing ������������������ lems seniors experience they are there for������ you when Serious issues that have with health care coverage. ��� you reach this age.” yet to be addressed; and ��������������������� Ron Cameron from Trail The SPCS identifies as Dr. De Greef poignantly and a member of SPCS the following as major remarked, “you know your ������������������ would like to see a “ return ��� problems: the inadequate country by the way they to the Community Health number of residential care treat their senior citizens.” Councils that we had beds; inappropriate regulabefore.” “The changes over tion and staffing of assisted ������

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