SCOTCH CREEK – Residents of the North Shuswap are bracing for life without doctors.
The two physicians at the North Shuswap Medical Centre in Scotch Creek have retired and coverage from temporary doctors ends today.
Now, a local society is turning to technology to bring more health care options to the community.
The North Shuswap Health Centre Society plan to have a doctor begin seeing patients remotely via the internet.
Patients will connect with Dr. Mike Figurski, who operates a physical practice at Big White, via video in real time.
“If it is something more serious where they need to see a physician we can arrange that as well.”
Community members got a demonstration of the system today.
“It is something to get your head around isn’t it. I only got my very first smart phone this year so I’m a little behind others but I did the little demo with him and it felt fine,” says Pat Robertson, co-chair of the Health Centre Society.
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But even Figurski admits the online link can’t replace all in person visits.
The society has committed to keeping the clinic open for at least another year as they continue to try to recruit a physician.
“I think it is almost a sales tool for prospective doctors. They can come in here and see that there is a clinic ready to go,” says Jay Simpson, the other co-chair of the society.
Meanwhile, the health authority says it can’t tell doctors where to set up shop.
“While Interior Health is supporting communities like North Shuswap in highlighting opportunities for family physicians and we encourage physicians to look at specific communities, we do not have the ability to tell physicians where to go – it is a physician’s choice to set up a practice in a given community,” wrote Bernadine Easson, a health services administrator with Interior Health.
Easson added that a nurse practitioner is visiting the community.
“Recently Interior Health was successful in working with the physician and community of Chase to recruit two new physicians to support a robust health care clinic and Emergency Department. This will provide stable and reliable service for a broader region which includes the North Shuswap.”
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