Interim doctors are still covering the dire physician shortage problem in Nakusp, and doctors here only expect it to be this way for the next year or two.
Dr. Norman Lea, a long-time physician in the area, told the Arrow Lakes News that he believes permanent doctors will come, but it will take that long before it happens.
“I think realistically it could be a year or two, maybe something a little more,” Dr. Lea said. “Someone could come sooner, but I’m not going to get my hopes up. So until then, we’re just going to have to deal with it.”
In the coming months, Dr. Gorranson will be back starting Feb. 21 and will stay until mid-July.
Dr. Kelland will arrive for a week or two in March, and Dr. Ian Connolly will be gone after March 4.
“As it stands now, we’re getting by,” Dr. Lea said. “As long as we’re getting supplemental days through the GP rural locum program.”
Dr. Lea said the Interior Health Authority deserves a lot of credit for helping the area out with interim physicians, giving the area extra days for locums during these tough times.
“The only problem right now is the continuity of care,” Dr. Lea said, as the locums do shift around and patients could be seeing new doctors each time. “But the locums are of a very high standard and quality.”
Dr. Lea also hailed the work of the village committee in place helping incoming doctors find places to rent, and provide any help they need in the community.
“We’re getting good locum support, which is better than shutting down the emergency department which can happen with not enough physicians here,” he said.
The Arrow Lakes News will be updating this situation as more information becomes available.
Music Fest 2011 line-up
Nakusp Music Fest has lined up some huge acts for their 2011 show, including the Doobie Brothers, Kevin Costner & Modern West, and Honeymoon Suite.
The full lists announced so far are as follows.
Friday, July 15:
-Serotonin Crush on stage 2 from 6–7:15 p.m.
-The Led Zeppelin Show on stage 2 from 7:45–9 p.m.
-Mobadass on stage 2 from 9:30–10:45 p.m.
-Honeymoon Suite on stage 2 from 11:15–12:30 a.m.
Saturday, July 16:
-TBA – 12:20–1:20 p.m.
-Andrew Allen on stage 1 from 1:30–2:30 p.m.
-The Pack A.D. on stage 2 from 2:40–3:40 p.m.
-Gary Hoey on stage 1 from 3:50–4:50 p.m.
-Canned Heat on stage 2 from 5–6 p.m.
-Spencer Davis Group on stage 1 from 6:30–7:45 p.m.
-TBA on stage 1 from 8:25–9:40 p.m
-Kevin Costner & Modern West on stage 1 from 10:25–11:55 p.m.
Sunday, July 17:
-The Perms on stage 1 from 1–2 p.m.
-TBA on stage 2 from 2:10–3:10 p.m.
-The Sheepdogs on stage 1 from 3:20–4:20 p.m.
-Savoy Brown on stage 2 from 4:30–5:30 p.m.
-Grapes of Wrath on stage 1 from 6–7:15 p.m.
-Soul Asylum on stage 1 from 7:55–9:10 p.m.
-The Doobie Brothers on stage 1 from 9:55–11:25 p.m.
For ticket and event information, check out www.nakuspmusicfest.ca.