The issue of patient transfers (medevac) sometimes only being a one-way trip for northern residents was one of the topics discussed at the recent Union of B.C. Municipalities (UBCM) convention in Victoria.

According to B.C. Emergency Health Services, if the healthcare team determines that a patient does not require paramedic care to return home, the patient will be responsible for arranging his or her own return transportation.

亚洲天堂 Lake Mayor Chris Beach discussed this issue with B.C.鈥檚 minister of health and Northern Health representatives, and expects to hear proposed solutions within the next month. Beach was the only Village of 亚洲天堂 Lake representative at this year鈥檚 UBCM convention, which allows local governments to bring topics of interest to the table with individual ministries.

He said UBCM meetings are typically only 15 minutes long and don鈥檛 provide immediate solutions to local governments.

鈥淭ypically ministry staff take notes during each meeting; they then research possible solutions and report back to the minister,鈥� explained Beach. 鈥淥nce the minister has had an opportunity to review the file, ministry staff are directed to reply; the response generally comes within a few months.鈥�

Brownfield site

A planned meeting to discuss the issue of a brownfield site in 亚洲天堂 Lake did not take place during this year鈥檚 UBCM.

鈥淭he meeting with the ministry was unable to be accommodated due to a high volume of requests,鈥� explained 亚洲天堂 Lake Mayor Chris Beach. 鈥淗owever, the ministry received the concerns and will respond as soon as they can.鈥�

Located on the corner of Francois Lake Drive and Hwy. 35 in 亚洲天堂 Lake, the site was found to be contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons in the 1990s. Long-term exposure to these chemicals can have significant health effects, including, but not limited to, cancer.

Although the eight-acre site is located adjacent to 亚洲天堂 Lake, the provincial government says the lake is unaffected by the contamination.

Mental health and addictions

Mayor Chris Beach also discussed 亚洲天堂 Lake鈥檚 growing issue of mental health and addictions during the recent UBCM convention.

鈥淐ouncil feels strongly about the need for improved access to early prevention programs, more timely medical attention and the need for outpatient follow-up care,鈥� said Beach. 鈥淎lso discussed was the government鈥檚 mental heath and addictions strategies, and what is being done to improve the delivery of quality mental health and addictions services to patients in the 亚洲天堂 Lake area.鈥�

鈥淭he meeting went very well and the ministry will hopefully reply within the month,鈥� he added.

Internet and cellphone connectivity

When it comes to Internet and cellphone connectivity, Mayor Chris Beach asked what is being done to increase access to rural and remote areas and increase Internet connection speeds.

鈥淏roadband connectivity allows local businesses to remain competitive, it supports education and enhances the delivery of public services to residents, as well as provides residents with a gateway to information,鈥� explained Beach.

鈥淭he ministries will reply when they have reviewed our topics,鈥� he added.

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