Temporary changes to Ashcroft ER hours
With the pending departure of Dr. Khan in mid-September, Emergency Department hours at the Ashcroft Hospital and Community Health Centre will be temporarily revised in order to provide consistent coverage in a manner that is sustainable for the remaining sole physician, Dr. Kitshoff.
Effective Sept. 17, the new temporary ER schedule is: Mondays to Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and two weekends per month. Although the change results in an overall reduction of eight hours per week, the schedule offers enhanced daytime coverage when the ER tends to be busier.
The schedule change is an interim measure and is necessary until the arrival of two new physicians in the New Year. At that time, once the physicians have settled into their practice, ER hours of operation will be reviewed with the end goal of expanded service.
The recruitment of these new physicians is a credit to the hard work and collaboration of all parties – the community of Ashcroft, Dr. Kitshoff and Interior Health, and we thank everyone for their continued patience.
We are very grateful to Dr. Khan for the service he has delivered over the last three years, and wish him well in his future endeavours.
Air Ambulance landing at airport
Interior Health was recently advised by BC Ambulance Services (BCAS) that the hospital parking lot previously used by the Air Ambulance does not meet current Transport Canada regulations and is not certified for landings.
BCAS will now use the local airport which is only 10 minutes away from the nearby hospital. Ground paramedics will transport patients to and from the hospital. This option is common practice at other sites throughout Interior Health where no helipad is available.
Interior Health and BCAS will meet with the local municipal councils next month to begin discussions around a new helipad. We anticipate this would be located east of the hospital, in the field owned by Interior Health.
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