It has been decided by Northern Health and local doctors that a U.S. doctor who applied to work at the Lakes District Hospital is no longer suitable.
Earlier this year, Dr. Alan Hill, chief of staff in Burns Lake had said to Lakes District News that the doctor was in the process of immigration and would hopefully be in Burns Lake working this summer, however Michael McMillan, Northern Health's chief operating officer said the position is no longer being offered to the U.S. doctor.
"This doctor does not have recent emergency experience and is there for unsuitable," McMillan said to Lakes District News.
McMillan went on to say that there seems to be some question as to whether the physician in question had actually begun the immigration process, or how far that process got.
"Hiring [a doctor] includes a number of steps over the course of the process. More details became available, including information from the recruit, and ultimately the Burns Lake physicians and Northern Health had some concerns about the recruit’s ability to serve as a solo physician in the Lakes District Hospital's emergency department, so the offer was withdrawn."
However a new physician, Dr. Trevor Campbell arrived in Burns Lake from Victoria in May for a three month term working part time, to test the waters in Burns Lake.
McMillan said that now the three months is almost up he is hopeful the doctor will be staying on in Burns Lake and both Northern Health's medical director and Dr. Campbell are in discussions.
"Dr. Campbell is working opposite Dr. Graetz," explained McMillan. He went on to say that the doctors both work part time on two week rotations.
McMillan also said that Dr. Shannon Douglas, who is from Fraser Lake is working in Burns Lake and offering women's oncology and women's health services.
"We are continuing to actively recruit," he said, adding that Northern Health is putting a lot of time and effort into recruiting.
"We are committed, but locum coverage is challenging."
McMillan went on to say that Northern Health is receiving good support from local doctors.
Currently there are four locums working in Burns Lake to help cover the emergency department. "Dr. George Magee is also helping out at the Burns Lake Medical Clinic, but he is not working in emergency."
Dr. Gregory Norman retired in May this year but is also helping out as a locum from time to time.
"We are still stretched for doctors in Burns Lake."
McMillan also commented on the amount of doctors working in Smithers, as reported in the Lakes District News edition of July 13, 2011, saying that the 26-28 doctors who are working in Smithers are there for the lifestyle.
"The majority of them have practices." McMillan added that the number of doctors working in Smithers far above the number needed to cover the area.
"Smithers is a historically attractive area, there are also other areas that attract large numbers of doctors."
He went on to say that the lifestyle offered in Smithers attracts doctors to the area.
The plans for the new hospital are also moving forward. McMillan said they hope to have the plans submitted to the government before the next treasury board meeting in August this year.
"We are aware of the deadline and are making great progress."