Campbell says RR doctor issues are a top priority for her

By Ken Johnston
Editor

Member of Provincial Parliament for Kenora-Rainy River, Sarah Campbell, replied to the Record’s inquiries last week regarding the impending loss of the community’s last full time Dr.
The Record informed Campbell about Riverside Health Care Facilities’ efforts to secure back-up emergency services in Baudette should Rainy River’s Emergency Room (ER) not have a doctor available to cover it. The Record told Campbell that the idea is not new and that it had been handled like that in the late 1960s and early 70s when Rainy River had a shortage of doctors. However, this time the Ministry of Health nixed the plan saying it will not pay the bill if people go to Baudette for an emergency, as it is out of the country.
Campbell said, “I want to assure you that I view this issue as very serious and a priority. Immediately after I heard of Dr. Singleton’s resignation, I called both Deb Ewald and Mr. Woods to discuss (the matter). I will be sending out an open letter to the minister about the urgency of the situation and some of the specific problems that need to be addressed shortly.”
Riverside also contacted the Record last week to let the community know of a possible ER shutdown in the weeks to come. However, at the last minute they found coverage for the dates in question and the ER will remain open for the foreseeable future.
The community’s last full time Dr. will not be leaving the community until June of 2013 at the very earliest. Meanwhile the local Dr. recruitment committee is working diligently to seek full time doctors and the Rainy River Locum House project is proceeding forward.
The Locum House will provide top notch housing for locum doctors and student doctors in Rainy River. The locums help provide relief for the full time doctors.