Dylan Pollock has started a petition to keep the Kitimat General Hospital and Health Centre open after the ER was shut down twice in one week.
The first closure was from 7 p.m. on July 12 to 8 a.m. on July 13. It was closed again for the same shift on July 20 to July 21.
In both cases, the doctor on duty was moved to Terrace to cover the emergency department at Mills Memorial Hospital. Mills Memorial ER was previously shut down on the evening of July 10.
Pollock’s concern was sparked by the medical emergency of a family member in the early hours on July 13. Pollock said a family member started having chest pain around 3 a.m.
“(My family member) was lucky, but there are tons of people that wouldn’t want to go to Terrace because they have to take an ambulance to get there and then how are they going to get home?” asked Pollock.
There are other dangers that come along with living in a small isolated community surrounded by nature. As well as dangers that come with a population that is in no small part employed by heavy industry. Pollock works at Rio Tinto and is deeply concerned about workers’ safety.
“I honestly fear someone could get hurt/killed.”
According to the District of Kitimat website, “In high market years, Kitimat has contributed up to 11 per cent of B.C.’s manufacturing GDP.”
Pollock said the disconnect between the affluence of the area and the lack of health services is unacceptable.
“With how much money we have in our backyard and with the fact that we’re a growing town with so many people working in industry, I think we need a hospital.”
Pollock has been putting pressure on Northern Health, as well as local and provincial politicians.
He also intends to speak at the next Kitimat council meeting to address the issue.
“I want us to be heard about this matter as it is unacceptable for us to not have an emergency department! I hope some of you will join me!” he wrote in an online update to the petition.
He also encourages anyone who would like to join the cause to reach out to him on Facebook.
As press time July 21, the petition had 739 signatures and can be found at Change.org at Help keep Kitimat Hospital Open 24/7