FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. -- The shortage of healthcare workers in northern B.C. is proceeding to strain a system that is already on the edge of crisis.
"Our healthcare system right now is on life support." Says Dan Davies, MLA for Peace River North.
Now Northern Health is admitting that the emergency room in Fort St. John only has five out of the 20 permanent registered nursing jobs filled.
Back in June, when asked by CJDC, the Health Minister called for an independent audit of the hospital. However, Dan Davies says so far there's been nothing, other than more announcements from the province.
"We need action today, we need agency nurses, we need support, we need the Cavalry right now to be supporting our hospital,” says Davies.
The intensive care unit in Fort St. John has been closed since June 2020 because of chronic staffing shortages.
On June 15th, Adrian Dix announced $6.38 million as an incentive to help attract and retain healthcare workers to northern B.C.
"We're announcing 6.38 million dollars for programs to retain and recruit more healthcare workers in the northern health authorities, by making the North a desirable and accessible place for health professionals to live and work."
The funding isn’t helping with the overcrowding at the hospital in Fort St. John or the intensive care unit in Prince George right now.
Two weeks ago, the Prince George ICU had 15 COVID-19 patients, when it's only designed to care for 10 people. The Health Minister said on Tuesday, that the number is now 20.
This is now forcing Northern Health to transfer patients to other parts of B.C, including Nanaimo and Vancouver.
Davies says the nursing shortage needs to be addressed right now.
"Looking at how can we utilize nurses from other areas that aren't being as impacted as us that can come up,” says Davies.
The North has the highest number of COVID-19 cases per capita in the province and the lowest vaccination rate.
Northern Health has more than 17% of British Columbia’s hospitalized COVID-19 patients, despite having only 6% of the population.
When the Health Minister agreed to audit 3 months ago, Adrian Dix said he was going to fix the short-term problems first.
"The minister did say that he was willing to entertain an audit, but not now because he wanted to do some immediate plans. We have seen a little bit of movement on those immediate plans, but it's not enough,” says Davies.
In the meantime, the strain on the hospital system in Northern Health has forced them to cancel 167 surgeries in a two-week period.
Whether it's in Prince George, Dawson Creek or Fort St. John, signs are clear that things are getting worse, not better.
“What the government needs to be looking at, is how can they move some resources around and get more boots on the ground,” says Davies.