Challenges ahead for health centre
SEPTEMBER 2006 — VOLUME 4 ISSUE 9
The Sun Peaks Health Association (SPHA) recently met with representatives of Interior Health to explore issues around staffing and running a medical facility at Sun Peaks.
While the SPHA’s goal of having a dedicated urgent-care facility at Sun Peaks is still very much alive, the association faces some unique challenges in providing medical services at a world-class resort with minimal funding and a very limited physical facility. Sun Peaks Resort, like other resort communities, has high numbers of visitors but does not meet critical-mass statistics that would warrant large-scale funding from the province or Interior Health. While the health authority is sympathetic to the issues faced by the SPHA, there’s little they can do at this stage.
Sun Peaks Health Association Director, Mario Pozza says that there are a number of hurdles to overcome in trying to open a dedicated medical facility in an era of medical bed shortages.
“Interior Health is an administrative body that has major budget issues and they’re not about to start opening new clinics when they have a bunch of other issues to deal with. They did express an interest in wanting to co-ordinate with Sun Peaks in terms of helping us with ongoing costs once we’re established, but there’s still this vague area of getting to that point where we’re established,” stated Pozza.
Funding for a dedicated facility is a high priority for Sun Peaks residents and others—the recent Nancy Greene Golf Benefit raised close to $28,000 for the SPHA. Additionally, the SPHA was presented a cheque for $5,000 by Grant Fraser, TNRD director for the area—money that came from a grant fund designated to help recreation communities deal with funding issues.
While funding is a major concern for the SPHA, the issue of staffing and volunteers also presents a challenge. Current SPHA volunteer resources are stretched thin. The association hopes to address this difficulty by hiring a part-time co-ordinator who will organize volunteers for the health clinic, as well as co-ordinate the doctors’ schedules and accommodations.
Volunteers are welcome at any time—anyone interested in being part of this dedicated group as a part-time co-ordinator or a fundraising volunteer should contact John Hatchett at 250-578-0144.
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