Help with Healthcare-East Kootenay

Comments

#1

We desperately need improved healthcare in our area. The RDEK has a population well over 60,000 people and we do Not have (1) cardiologist, nor adequate testing for heart issues. Cardiovascular health and disease has come to the focal point of healthcare in recent years due to these diseases and related conditions increasing due to an aging population. It's tragic we don't matter if we live or die in this forgotten area of BC.

Ivan Jardine (Sparwood, 2023-06-24)

#4

It is too onerous for people to have to travel so far away from home for services. We want to have access, like we did in the past, to obtain Health care services in Alberta.

Janice Collins (Cranbrook, 2023-06-25)

#5

Because Kelowna is an 8 hour drive and we used to go to Calgary or Lethbridge. The government should allow for that.

Rosanne Anselmo (Fernie, 2023-06-25)

#6

I've seen too many families, including my own, struggle with the added costs and stress of long distance health care.

Shelley Furedi (Sparwood, 2023-06-25)

#11

We need better health care in our area. The Cranbrook hospital needs upgrades so patients don’t need to worry about how they have to get to Kelowna or Vancouver & back. So many have to already take time off work for their illness and travel & hotel costs just add to an already stressful situation. Please I implore our elected officials to review & advocate for the citizens in this area. Thank you.

Laura Cunliffe (Sparwood, 2023-06-26)

#12

Having to travel to Kelowna or Vancouver (8 hours and 15hours respectively when the roads are good!) is UNACCEPTABLE.

Tracey Clerihew (Elkford, 2023-06-26)

#17

Having to travel so far for healthcare is crazy.

Lyndsey Vinet (Sparwood BC, 2023-06-26)

#18

I used to live in Sparwood. We moved to Calgary for this reason. Why not send to Calgary 3 hrs verses 8 hr drive to Kelowna.

Kay Collins (Calgary, 2023-06-26)

#20

Healthcare in my region is a concern.For any serious illness we have to travel to Kelowna which is at least an 8 hour drive.So our families would not be able to visit

Pamela Huntley (Sparwood, 2023-06-26)

#23

More needs to be done about the failing healthcare system thanks to our liberal federal government!

Gail Duchnych (Cranbrook, 2023-06-26)

#26

I have lived in Cranbrook since 2009 & in Elkford for 8 years prior. When I first came to the East Kootenay, we had access to hospitals & to specialists in Calgary, four hours away. Now. We must go to Kelowna. This makes no sense & creates hardship as well.

Maureen Modin (Cranbrook, 2023-06-27)

#28

I was forwarded the link and I these issues have effected me and many people in my life

Alexis Corris (Elkford, 2023-06-27)

#30

A lack of accessible health care.

Charlene Publicover (Elkford, 2023-06-27)

#31

I'm signing because I have paid out of pocket over $30,000 for medical travel expenses in the past 8 years with none of it back. We are lower income. OUT OF POCKET. Because of my health problems and some of my husband, I once put on over 15,000 km in one year for travel for surgeries and dialysis - none of it reimbursed. I have a kidney transplant that cost $9000 out of pocket. I have made 4 trips to Vancouver for a consult for ankle surgery in the past year. I saw a specialist in Calgary where an ultrasound was done and discovered the issue. I was then referred to a surgeon in Calgary by the specialist and was rejected because I live in BC. Instead of a day trip for things that cannot be handled in the East Kootenays, the expenses incurred are atrocious and sometimes come at the expense of sacrificing other needs.

Tracey Halladay (Elkford, 2023-06-27)

#34

Local families need access to healthcare near their home communities so they don’t have to travel 8-12 hours away from their families.

Haley Culver (Elkford, 2023-06-27)

#36

Travel to Kelowna is too far! Three mountain passes and approximately 8 hours driving time make it terrible for anyone who needs healthcare. Dealing with a difficult diagnosis and then having to travel that far isn't acceptable.

Colleen Trozzo (Elkford, 2023-06-27)

#37

I am concerned with the lack of options for healthcare treatment in my region. I have been waiting for timely access to doctors and appointments for several years.

Audrey Bleskey (Sparwood, 2023-06-27)

#38

My health is failing because of lack of care

Sharon Villemaire (Elkford, 2023-06-27)

#40

We’re too far away from healthcare.. we’re lost because of our location

Karen Morrow (Sparwood, 2023-06-27)

#41

We need closer access to better healthcare!

Frank Trozzo (Elkford, 2023-06-27)

#42

I don’t feel that my community and the East Kootenay have access to adequate health care.

Kim Bauer (Elkford, 2023-06-27)

#50

I live 1 hr from the alberta boarder and 12 hrs plus from Vancouver

Alana Owens (Elkford, 2023-06-28)

#55

We desperately need help in this area of the province. We are the Regional hospital for this area and are in no way equipped nor staffed for that distinction. I volunteer at the hospital at the info desk so I see first hand how we are severely lacking in these areas.
Please, please send us funding to erase these issues!

Shelley Semeniuk (Cranbrook, 2023-06-29)

#56

I'm signing because healthcare in my end of the valley is close to none existent.

Hayden Hawthorne (Elkford, 2023-06-29)

#57

We have the right to go to Alberta for care. We live only 15 minutes from the Alberta border.

Kim Gorman (Sparwood, 2023-06-29)

#59

Residents of the Eat Kootenays should not have to travel to the Okanagan for treatments. Not only the expense but traveling away from family and support systems.

Debbie Kliment (Elkford, 2023-06-29)

#61

My wife has MS and I have arthritis and aging

Don Vandale (Elkford, 2023-06-29)

#63

I have little to no access to health care and given that we are much closer to Lethbridge and Calgary, it would be nice to have those be an option for us.

Cindy M Munn (Elkford, 2023-06-29)

#65

We are on the Alberta boarder closest to Alberta care it would be 8hours or more to get care in BC

Renee Dahl (Sparwood, 2023-06-29)

#69

I’m signing because I believe the Elk Valley deserves more access to medical care and support.

Hazel Davis (Blairmore, 2023-06-29)

#71

We need access to more healthcare options. Emergency in Sparwood for non emergency things is not a solution. It would also be great to have closer access to help in the event an emergency happens at one of the mines.

Alyssa Burgoyne (Elkford, 2023-06-29)

#73

sick and tired of having to travel to cranbrook for routine tests

janet chicoine (sparwood, 2023-06-29)

#74

These services are desperately needed!

Beverley Bellina (Sparwood, 2023-06-29)

#75

I am signing because we need more accessible health care in our area.

Catherine Brons (Fernie, 2023-06-29)

#76

Because everyone should have close access to healthcare

Treena Allen (Sparwood, 2023-06-29)

#77

The health system sucks in the East & Central Kootenays. Lack of Drs & the ones that are here are grossly overloaded. Wait time to see a family Dr is a month to a month & a half in Creston. Wait time for ultrasounds, mri & cat scans is months. Something has to change & maybe a better working relationship with Alberta to have access to Calgary may be what is needed.

Jewelle Wojtula (Kitchener, 2023-06-30)

#78

I need closer medical care.

Scott Kozler (Sparwood, 2023-06-30)

#79

I am single a senior with no access to transportation to get there & could not take the stress.

Darlene Thompson (Kimberley BC, 2023-06-30)

#80

We are needing accessible healthcare in the East Kootenays. Traveling to Kelowna and Vancouver is not an acceptable option.

Roberta Robertson (Kimberley, 2023-06-30)

#82

It not fair.

Vicky Boivin (Kimberley, 2023-07-01)

#83

Our clinic is being destroyed by cut and miss management.

Duncan McDonald (Elkford, 2023-07-01)

#85

We need services closer to home. 3 hours vs 8hrs makes a huge difference that people in other parts of BC just don’t understand!

Rick Gris (Fernie, 2023-07-01)

#86

I feel we are forgotten when it comes to Health Care. Feels like most health care ends in Kelowna. I have been a patient in Kelowna and they are terrific there. I do feel that Cranbrook is a Regional hospital and needs more services for cancer, cardiology and anything we have to travel so far for. We should also be able to have access to Alberta for things we can’t get in our area as it is closer than Kelowna.

Alvajean Hutchinson (Fernie(Hosmer), 2023-07-01)

#89

I am tired of driving to Kelowna for so many appointments that I could drive 1/2 the distance and go to Alberta. I've been battling breast cancer for the last year. Off to Kelowna in January over 3 mountain passes in the winter for a consult with the radiologist. Back to Kelowna in February for almost a month of radiation. I am seeing the ophthalmologist in Kelowna as the Dr I was seeing in Cranbrook dropped me like a hot potato. I am needing surgery on my eye, so will be making my third trip to Kelowna to find out when I have to go back again for the surgery. Not only is this time consuming and potentially dangerous driving in the winter, but is so EXPENSIVE making all these trips. It is so ridiculous having to go to Kelowna. Go to the nearest facility. After all, we are all Canadians aren't we??

Wanda Leavins (Kimberley, 2023-07-01)

#90

I’m signing because as a family we experienced the trauma of having to go far away from our hometown/region for medical services when I went into pre-term labour. Instead of being sent 2 hours away to Lethbridge or 3 hours away to Calgary I was sent 16 hours away to Prince George where I ended up spending 6 weeks with our twins. I knew no one there, had no family there and the worst was I had to be separated from my 2 1/2 year old and my husband for that time. It was a very traumatic experience for us all, our 2 1/2 year old developed seperatiin anxiety and anxiety that affected her for many years, as did I.

Had we been allowed to be sent to Calgary or Lethbridge I would have had friends and family support me and the babies through the already traumatic experience of pre term emergency labour not to mention a lengthy NICU stay. My husband and daughter would have been able to visit frequently and spend time with us with the shorter distance to drive, as would have extended family.

Tanya Kerkhoven (Sparwood, 2023-07-01)

#95

Emergency cataract surgery in bothe eyes on list for year and a half now.

Cindy Poch (Sparwood, 2023-07-02)

#99

Please upgrade Cranbrook Hospital to serve the East Kootenays medical needs.

Debbie Fraser (Sparwood, 2023-07-03)

#100

So many reasons to sign this.. my husband's failing health.. Watching friends and families have to deal with the costs and untimely treatments involved with extensive travel... sometimes the highway passes are unsafe for travel in the winter months.. and isn't our Healthcare supposed to be across Canada??? Why should we have to travel anywhere from 8-12 hours.. when there is help only 2-3 hours away

Tania Wallman (Fernie, 2023-07-03)

#102

It is a major problem for disabled seniors to travel long distances in order to get medical procedures done. With winter driving being unpredictable at the best of times, if a procedure has to be done out of town a long distance away, more than likely it would have to be cancelled because of road conditions.

Carolyn Bushko (Fernie,BC, 2023-07-03)

#104

I want to live here long term and will need health services

Katherine Russell (Elkford, 2023-07-04)

#105

I usually don't sign petitions however we should all have the option of traveling to a location of our choice for healthcare. Our family has family and support in Alberta and Calgary or Lethbridge are only a 2-3 hours away compared to 8hr to Kelowna or even more to Vancouver. This used to be the norm and should be again. Healthcare is about care, not what some faceless bureaucracy thinks.

Danny Dwyer (Sparwood, 2023-07-04)

#106

I would like geographically closer access to medical treatment for services that are not available locally.

Becca Thomas (Fernie, 2023-07-04)

#107

We need better health care options that make sense!!

Jennifer Vezina (Sparwood, 2023-07-05)

#108

We need access to closer health care

Kathy Chatterson (Sparwood, 2023-07-05)

#109

We need these Health Care services closer to our community.
Our community consists of many young families as well as many seniors who are placed in real hardship to travel to Kelowna or even further. I believe that some will chose to forego treatment rather than proceed with the difficulty of travel, financial burden etc.

Warren johnson (Sparwood, 2023-07-05)

#111

I'm signing this because I firmly believe we should not have to travel all the way to Kelowna for our medical care. It's totally unacceptable that if a loved one is sick many people do not have the means to be able to sit with them. There should be no reason we cannot still access the hospitals in Calgary or Lethbridge. Many of us have family in both places and it takes the burden of paying for hotels off the plate.

Cindy Dwyer (Sparwood, 2023-07-09)

#114

Now that we don’t have direct flights from the East Kootenays to Kelowna, it is extremely difficult for families to receive medical care. We either need improved transport to and from Kelowna or access to nearby Alberta hospitals.

Kimberly Yuill (Jaffray, 2023-07-20)

#115

The cost of travel and hotel stays for treatment is unaffordable

Angela Hosmar (Cranbrook, 2023-07-21)

#116

We had to travel to Kelowna with a newborn because my partner was unable to see a specialist in Calgary. When we got to Kelowna we were told that we had been referred to the wrong specialist and that we needed to see a different specialist, and that we would have to return to Fernie wait for another referral for that to happen. It is unbelievable that people who are sick need to travel what is a 16 hour return trip on the highway for medical care when there are much closer options in Calgary.

Kelly Mills (Fernie, 2023-08-18)

#117

The level of healthcare available in SE BC is unacceptable. We used to have access to world class services in Calgary. Instead we need to drive 8 hours to Kelowna to a hospital that lacks many important specialties.

Kyle Matter (Fernie, 2023-08-18)

#118

Living in the East Kootenays often feels like we are overlooked and forgotten by our province and health authority. Our regional hospital is not equipped nor staffed with specialists for our community to access. The expectation for East Kootenay residents to travel 7+hrs across the province for specialist support is unreasonable and simply not right. We used be able to access specialists 2-3 hrs away in Lethbridge and Calgary which was manageable. We are tax payers, same as any other in BC and deserve adequate and comparable access to health care.

Jacqueline Fieldhouse (Fernie, 2023-08-18)

#119

Having to go to kekowna or further for medical services is not economically feasible for far too many people in the east kootenays.

Rhonda Oliver (Jaffray, 2023-08-18)

#122

I am a healthcare worker and as someone who refers a lot of patients for additional services it has become extremely difficult to provide proper care of service for patients. A lot of patients are unable to get to Kelowna or Vancouver easily when Lethbridge and Calgary are only 2 and 3.5 hours away from us, respectively.
Not only that, I live in Fernie and as a citizen there it is difficult to find the time, travel and money to get myself/my family to appointments so far away when there’s services that can be provided so close to home.

Katelyn Rose (Fernie, 2023-08-19)

#123

It isn’t reasonable for Elk Valley residents to access health care so far away. It has become a physical and financial barrier to accessing necessary healthcare services.

Sarah Sauerborn (Sparwood, 2023-08-19)

#124

It's ridiculous to go anywhere but Calgary if required

Jordan Powell (Fernie, 2023-08-20)

#126

We deserve better Healthcare the system is broken and corrupt

Alanna Krotz (Fernie, 2023-08-20)

#131

I strongly believe that access to medical care closer to home is required. When you are that ill having to drive extended distances is unreasonable

Sharon Clark (Fernie, 2023-08-22)

#134

I had to care for a family member with cancer. We had to go to kelowna for treatment 7 hrs away by car. Lethbridge or Calgary is 3.5 hrs. We could of been home in the same day. He couldn’t fly as flights were canceled due to weather which can easily happen by car on the roads, dangerous winter driving through the mountains and passes.
I’ve taken elderly family to Calgary for medical treatment over the years and it was so convienent. Cranbrook regional hospital needs serious upgrading if it’s to service patients in this large area population

William Charlton (Jaffray, 2023-08-26)

#135

Our health care system is failing

Glenn Krotz (Fernie, 2023-09-02)

#136

Last November, 2022, I had Cataract surgery in both eyes at Seema Eye Clinic in Calgary. I was on the waiting list in Cranbrook since January, 2022. By June 2022, my poor vision prevented me from driving, let alone working.
Prescription glasses and contacts were useless. By September, I could not read and needed to be accompanied in order to venture anywhere outside my home. In September, I visited the Opthamologist at the office in Cranbrook ( impossible to get through by phone) and pleaded with the receptionist to get a consultation ASAP. I was told I was one of 600 patients waiting for surgery - no triage, first referred, first served. My optometrist finally referred me to a clinic in Calgary and after almost $10 000 out of pocket, I was able to see again. I could read, drive and return to work.
My small group of friends have had similar experiences, albeit with different maladies. Driving to and from Calgary is doable, but not so to Kelowna, at least an eight hour trip one way, where both acute and treatment cases have been sent due to lack of services nearby. Angel flight continues to be a blessing for many people in the Elk Valkey. But due to the risks associated with flying, many recovering patients are not able to use that option.
Their pnly choice is to drive that eight hour trip with a care provider who makes the same eight hour trip there to take them home.
Our population, and particularly as our age population increases, is in need for health services close to home. Now is the time to ensure that all British Columbians have access to diagnostic and procedural medicine closer to home. Prevention is the key. Let's prevent a health crisis by addressing the present needs and preparing a healthy future for all us. Please bring sustainable health care to the Elk Valley.

Ann Ross (Fernie, 2023-09-06)

#137

I love in the East Kootenays. My neighbor, a fit active male of 61, recently suffered a stroke. He needed vascular surgery and had to travel 8 hours to Kelowna for his surgery, incurring travel and accommodation costs. Instead he could have been treated in Calgary 3 hours away. Luckily it was summer time and not winter road conditions.

Karin Wardle (Fernie, 2023-09-07)

#139

Travel to Kelowna for health care is an unnecessary hardship when care is available in Calgary.

Geoff Wardle (Fernie, 2023-09-13)

#140

I’ve known many people who couldn’t get the care they needed in town.

Amanda Harwood (Cranbrook, 2023-09-16)

#143

Traveling to Kelowna is a hardship.

Sylvia Maher (Cranbrook, 2023-09-16)

#145

My husband and I are starting to age and are concerned that our medical needs cannot be met in Cranbrook.

Michelle McCue (Cranbrook, 2023-09-16)

#146

People in our town in southeastern BC often have to travel for medical services. 8 hour drive to Kelowna, Alberta will not take our patients unless it’s a dire emergency. Weather is very often an issue. We now can fly via Angel Air to Kelowna but once there we must pay for meals & accommodations - this is a huge expense, especially for those requiring radiation treatments, heart procedures etc. We deserve the same access to medical facilities as people in the greater Vancouver area. Make this happen!

Rhonda Beeman (Cranbrook, 2023-09-16)

#147

We need more health care services here at our hospital.

Jocelyn Fiorentino (Cranbrook, 2023-09-17)

#148

I have experienced the need to travel far from home for surgery annd and radiation services, during which time I could not work and had to be away from my family. It is HIGHLY inconvenient for families to have to travel so far, meals, accomodation beong so expensive.
Please prioritize the Cranbrook hospital for the necessary upgrades to provide the services detailed in thos petition.

Marta Zeegers (Kimberley, 2023-09-18)

#150

Our healthcare services are deplorable. We have been without a doctor for our family for almost 4 years, and now my dear friend, who is a loving and hard working husband and father fighting pancreatic cancer, has to travel 6 hours by car to Kelowna for treatment and spend hundreds of dollars for accommodation, etc., when money is a massive issue since he is too unwell to work. In a wealthy and privileged country like Canada, it is disgraceful that our access to healthcare is so poor. Please make a decision to actually help those in this community that are honest, kind, and hardworking.

Shannon Edmonstone (Cranbrook, 2023-09-18)

#151

Cancer has touched the lives of many people I love.

Allison Platt (Cranbrook, 2023-09-18)

#152

My father, Barry Marchi suffered from this for years while undergoing his cancer treatments forcing him to be further away from home and away from his support system. He had sent in multiple letters to the MLA and health minister of BC. We are forced to travel 8+ hours for cancer treatments while my dad bored planes in Calgary driving right past the Tom Baker Cancer Centre. It is a great need for increased opportunity for health care here in cranbrook!!

Melissa Marchi (Sparwood, 2023-09-19)

#154

I am signing because I believe in what this committee is all about and that our Health Care system is broken and needs to be fixed immediately.

Maureen Josay (Sparwood, 2023-09-19)

#155

I have two children and because we live in Fernie, and sometimes we do not have the option in Cranbrook. We have family in Okotoks and It make it easier for us to go to Alberta.

Adriana Pumphrey (Fernie, 2023-09-19)

#157

I remember a time when Sparwood was a functioning hospital, with wards and operating rooms - then came massive cuts, along with closures that valued "tourists" over those working in industry. This loss meant, we no longer have access to that critical "golden hour" of care, Paramedics then paid $2 for stand by (who would work for that?) in Elkford, and Sparwood - further, many no longer having access to family doctors to catch and prevent illnesses - cancer, heart disease, etc. Add insult to injury, many things that were treated locally - were moved to Cranbrook, including, but not limited to, childbirth - causing hardship for many especially in the severe winter road conditions. Specialists impossible to get into, MRI's a 12 to 18 month wait, forcing many including myself, to pay out of pocket.
The state of Healthcare in the Elk Valley today - means the closest Cancer, Orthopedic, Neurological care available is Kelowna, 8 hours away (16 + round trip) on good roads, an impossible journey in the winter, along with significant expenses to lodge and eat and you are totally isolated from family and friends that could help share in illness or recovery of you or aged family members. This is shameful! Fernie Hospital is over capacity for simple treatments, EMERGENCY at Sparwood is during very limited daytime hours in a 24/7 365 industrial area with 4 coal mines. We used to be able to go to Lethbridge (2.5 hours) or Calgary (3 hours) for specialists, oncology, orthopedic, radiology etc.
I gladly pay taxes for universal health care, and we, in the Valley pay a very high per capita amount, given the industry wages earned here , but our level of care does not represent a fair exchange.
We are losing our loved ones - our lack of health care is in CRISIS and it must change.

Diana Plessis (Sparwood, 2023-09-20)

#158

Myself and many people close to me shouldn’t have to wait months to even years for adequate medical care

Blaise Edmonstone (Cranbrook, 2023-09-20)

#159

It's Canada health care, not BC health care. One should have the ability to go to the hospital/doctor of their choice. Universal access should be the norm.

Joseph Paniec (Sparwood, 2023-09-21)

#160

Health care should accessible to everyone there is a need for up to date medical care especially in Cranbrook and area:: there is working coal mining in the area as well:: that a factor that has been overlooked it’s closer to Cranbrook than it is to Calgary:: also the population is growing here in the Kooteney’s::

Eileen Coster (Sparwood, 2023-09-21)

#164

I believe that in 2023 people deserve to have accessible healthcare options near to where they live. Having to travel to Kelowna or Vancouver is not an option for the majority of the population, especially for those of us who are elderly and more prone to needing care!

Bernadette Bugiera (SPARWOOD BC, 2023-09-30)

#165

My son has the bleeding disorder hemophilia. Since he was 4 years old we were able to go to the hemophilia clinic at the Calgary children’s hospital and then at 18 years of age he went to the adult hemophilia clinic at the Calgary foothills hospital. Both a distance of 4 hours from our home in cranbrook BC. We have a lot of relatives in the Calgary area to stay at so it was ok to make that trip. But now the BC healthcare says he can no longer be treated out of province. He now has to go to the hemophilia clinic in Vancouver or kelowna. If travel is good It is a 6 hour drive to Kelowna or 10 hour drive to Vancouver 😳.
I know a hemophilia clinic cannot be in Cranbrook but I wish we could at least go back to the calgary hemophilia clinics where else had been going to for 19 years 😕
We need more healthcare services in the east Kootenays AND ESPECIALLY DOCTORS TAKING Patients OR A WALK-IN CLINIC taking in patients. PLEASE 🙏🏼

Stacey Schartner (Cranbrook, 2023-10-02)

#169

Everyone should have the healthcare they need in Canada

Juliet Hodgkinson (Elizabethtown-Kitley, 2023-10-30)



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