The T艥ilhqot鈥檌n National Government (TNG) is adding its voice to the calls for an independent investigation into concerns being raised in Williams Lake regarding Cariboo Memorial Hospital (CMH).

In a news release issued Tuesday (May 17) Nits鈥檌l蕯in (Chief) Joe Alphonse spoke critically of the lack of transparency by the B.C. government in dealing with the current situation at CMH, a situation Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Lorne Doerkson has been raising in the B.C. Legislature recently citing a letter of non-confidence in the administrators overseeing the operating room unit at CMH.

鈥淲e need more information on what is being done to fix the problems,鈥� said Alphonse. 鈥淲hile we may not agree with MLA Lorne Doerkson on every issue, we agree that CMH is in a crisis situation and that lives are at stake.鈥�

He added if Doerkson wants to pursue action on the crisis, he must also meet with TNG to discuss systemic racism.

鈥淥ur people have had to contend with the dysfunction and systemic racism at CMH for too long. To the point where I have had members in my community stay home and pass away on the couch, rather than seek medical care at CMH,鈥� said Alphonse.

TNG鈥檚 release draws attention to the Turpel-Lafond Report: In Plain Sight: Addressing Indigenous-specific Racism and Discrimination in B.C. Health Care, released in December 2020. Little action has been done to address these problems by government or any other party, according to TNG.

The resignation of long-time surgeon Dr. Dan Brosseuk and a letter submitted to Interior Health containing a motion of non-confidence in administration reportedly signed by most of the operating unit medical staff have led to Doerkson calling for action by the current government during Question Period.

So far, Interior Health has declined additional comment after responding to the initial story on Brosseuk鈥檚 resignation, which he said was due to administrative changes impacting patient care.

The letter of non confidence cited serious issues and describes a 鈥渢oxic work place.鈥�

TNG said the need for change at CMH and accountability in public health and B.C. government is immediate.

Black Press Media has reached out to Interior Health for comment.

More to come

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ruth.lloyd@wltribune.com
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