Segregated, not Integrated Health Care

On December 2, 2010 I placed a phone call to Twin Beaches Medical Clinic to request information about the Integrated Health Network Wellness program that I had been recommended to pursue.

This program was open to all Gabriolans providing they were referred by a physician. I was asked if I was a patient of any of the doctors in the clinic. I replied that I was not. I was informed that the doctors at the clinic were not taking on any more patients at this time because they were operating at capacity with only one full time physician, Dr. Bosman. Dr. Smith was retiring and Dr. Thorne was going on maternity leave.

I asked how I would be referred to this program. I was advised to go to Medical Arts. Inquiring where that was, I was informed it was in the Port Place Mall, Nanaimo.

I inquired as to why I was not being advised to go to my own doctor right here on Gabriola - Dr. MacKenzie, and was informed that he was “different.”

I confirmed with the receptionist of the clinic that this Integrated Health Network was a program that is funded through MoH and VIHA through GHCS.

As all doctors are paid through MSP (Medical Services Plan) therefore through the government of British Columbia, I expressed my confusion as to why Dr. MacKenzie could not refer me. Again, I was told he was “different.”

I told the receptionist that I failed to understand why, in order to participate in a program that had been designed to cater for British Columbians and was offered here at the Twin Beaches Medical Clinic, I would have to pay to take the ferry over to Nanaimo to see a doctor who had no understanding of my case history, just so I could participate in a program that happens to take place less than a thousand feet from where I happen to live!

I placed a call to the Integrated Health Network in Nanaimo and was referred to the nurse who comes over to Gabriola to implement the program.

IHN is a pilot project for a self-management program for people with disabilities. At present they are partnered with 29 physicians in the area, of which the doctors at Twin Beaches Medical Clinic were considered as one. I was informed that GHCS participated in this program through a $ 16,000 grant that was given by VIHA to the society and therefore had a say in who could benefit from the program.

The IHN has received several complaints about the distributorship of this program and about GHCS in particular, and do not plan to renew the program with GHCS next year.

As the discussion unfolded, this individual agreed that this was a form of segregated health care. Not at all what GHCS would have us believe.

Bullying Unacceptable on Gabriola

Last Saturday, with the property owner’s permission, we set up a table outside the pharmacy at Folklife Village with the following petition:

We, the undersigned, urge the Islands Trust to dismiss the zoning application #  GB-RZ-2010.2  for rezoning from Forestry to Institutional. We do not support the sacrifice of forested lands when there are affordable and viable alternatives available.

The response was phenomenal. We were thanked profusely for providing an opportunity for the people of Gabriola to voice their opinion in a supported and democratic way. Emails and phone calls continue to echo this response and we are still accepting signatures. In turn, we would like to thank everyone for their overwhelming outpourings of support to us during this process.

On the other hand, we were inundated with transparent attempts on behalf of GHCS supporters to disrupt, intimidate, threaten and bully us into stopping the petition.

To all of those who attempted to provoke, intimidate, blackmail etc… last Saturday:

Please don’t mistake our politeness in the face of intense provocation and bullying tactics for compliance. It’s called breeding, good manners and the respect of another human being’s way of thinking – something these bullies appear to have lost along the way.

When anyone who claims to support the clinic keeps stating repeatedly: “What you write is against the clinic, it’s against the clinic!” (while we are trying to talk to others) and refuses to listen to our explanation that this petition is against the rezoning, and not the clinic. – that’s disruption.

When someone we’ve never met comes up to us as we’re sitting quietly next to our table and says: “You should be ashamed. You should be ashamed of yourself” – that’s intimidation.

When someone says: “If Doctor Rooks sees this he will pull out and it will be your fault” -- that’s emotional blackmail.

When members of the GHCS Board of Directors hover repeatedly without speaking, preventing others from accessing the petition – that’s intimidation.

(Note: I had previously called one of these individuals only two days earlier, clearly identified myself, what I represented and what I was intending doing)

When people send back loud, intimidating emails which read:

take me OFF you(r) email list NOW

and

 “This is offensive and an insult to all the hard working people that have given so much to help make this island a better community. What motivates you to do this is beyond me.”  (from a member of the Chamber of Commerce) in response to a blanket  email notifying people of the time and place of the petition – that’s just plain ignorant

( please note our email said: Please and Thank You)

When another individual mocks loudly: “Stop this. Stop this. You don’t know what you are talking about.” – that’s intimidation.

When this same individual keeps shouting over us and interrupting others interested in the petition, then throws his hands up in disgust, and as his embarrassed wife pulls him away, keeps yelling over his shoulder from across the parking lot “Just stop what you’re doing and go and donate. Don’t be so cheap.” – that’s bullying.

When a concerted effort requires one man distracting the male petitioner so that a tall, imposing man belligerently and loudly attempts to intimidate the (sitting) female petitioner – that’s bullying… (and cowardice)

When you put this all together and consider that attack is a first line of defense, you have to ask yourself “What is the GHCS so afraid of? What do they have to hide?”

GHCS does NOT represent the whole of Gabriola, not by a very long shot. And people are starting to voice this, in spite of continued harassment and intimidation.

Gabriolans are not easily intimidated. Do not make the error of seeing tolerance and acceptance as compliance.

We don’t respond to petty fear tactics.

We don’t like to be coerced.

And we especially do not accept being bullied.

It simply makes us stop, take a deep breath, take a closer look and begin to wonder: What are these bullies so afraid of? What is it they have to hide? And what exactly are they planning to do with OUR money?

Petition Signing at Folklife Village

Steve Wohlleben has kindly given us permission to set up a table at Folklife Village outside the pharmacy this SATURDAY DECEMBER 11, 2010 from 10.00 a.m. – 2.00 p.m. We will have petitions on hand to sign.

The Petition reads as follows:

We, the undersigned, urge the Islands Trust to dismiss the zoning application #  GB-RZ-2010.2  for rezoning from Forestry to Institutional. We do not support the sacrifice of forested lands when there are affordable and viable alternatives available.

We’ll see you there!!!
Tony & Shena

Petition to sign on blog

Please click on the COMMENTS section below this post and type in your name, address, phone number and email (both optional) if you wish to voice your opinion on this matter. Then simply cut and past the petition below and email it to the trustees and planners of Islands Trust (see side panel) to confirm your vote.

PETITION

We, the undersigned, urge the Islands Trust to dismiss the zoning application #  GB-RZ-2010.2  for rezoning from Forestry to Institutional. We do not support the sacrifice of forested lands when there are affordable and viable alternatives available.

Lot/Parcel S1/2 of NW ½  North End of Church Steet

Owner: Potlatch Properties Ltd., Dr. Robert Rooks

Applicant:  Williamson & Associates, Brian Henning 

NO Guarantee of GHCS Ownership

Dr. Robert Rooks has offered to donate 4.1 acres (at the north end of Church Street) to GHCS to build their proposed Urgent Care Medical Clinic. The land is part of an 80 acre parcel currently zoned Forestry.

According to Land Title & Surveyor Authority of British Columbia the property REMAINS IN THE OWNERSHIP of Dr. Rooks until the two-phase plan has been completely finalized:

1)     rezoning of 4.1 acres from Forestry to Institutional 4

2)     subdivision (via the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure) of the proposed 4.1 acre parcel.

In the Sounder Oct 4, 2010 the following states “The application has been made under the name of the agent acting on behalf of the GHCF, Brian Henning, who is a partner in Williamson & Associates, Professional Surveyors. GHCF Treasurer Harvey Graham said, “he has experience in this area and volunteered to act as GHCF’s agent.”

Yet the application process is done by the OWNER – Potlatch Properties Ltd. - Dr. Rooks – whose representative is also Brian Henning.

Does this not constitute a conflict of interest?

What guarantees does GHCS have that Dr. Rooks, represented by Brian Henning, will hand over title of the land after the rezoning and subdivision take place?

According to Land Title Surveyor Authority of B.C. this kind of situation happens all the time. They repeatedly recommend organizations secure an agreement in writing from the owner before proceeding.  Although this does not mean that the owner is obliged to honour the guarantee. If simply provides documentation should the organization decide to take legal action.

We contacted Harvey Graham, GHCS/GHCF Treasurer and he confirmed that as the donation is considered a “Gift” this constitutes a pledge only, and cannot be enforced. GHCS/GHCF have no legal recourse to force Dr. Rooks to give them the land in question. He said that GFCS is relying on the goodwill of Dr. Rooks and they feel that it is unlikely that he will change his mind in the next few months.

The value of this 4.1 parcel of land once it is rezoned and subdivided and still in the possession of the original owner, Dr. Rooks, is estimated at around $ 750,000.  

NOT-FOR-PROFIT?

Hi Tony & Shena:

Have not been following the PROPOSED GABRIOLA CLINIC - discussion.

For years, I & my wife do not use any health facility, on Gabriola except Life Labs occasionally.

Our choice is to use Nanaimo facilities and my doctor is in Ladner.

On the surface it appears there will be no costs to residents.

While one resident told me the proponents will not say that one day the new facility will not be a private facility,

I would not want to be contributing to it.

Could you give me further information.

Thank you

Terrence (Terry) R. Hanna

Thank you for your email. You raise a question that has been plaguing many Gabriolans. Sources report that, to date, the Foundation is not willing to volunteer the registration of a covenant to reassure the community that it will be a public-not-for-profit clinic. The question was asked at the December 1^st meeting of the Advisory Planning Commission and the answer from both Brenda Fowler (President, GHCS & GHCF) and Harvey Graham (Treasurer, GHCS & GHCF) was "NO".  Neither the Shingle or the Sounder has reported on this issue to date and a letter has been sent to the editor of the Shingle addressing this issue.)

The Community Owns the Clinic?

What does this really mean? 

• Does it mean that the name of every single person living on Gabriola Island, say on a given date, holds ownership to the clinic? 
• Do you have to be a property owner, or can you simply be renting at the time, or maybe just camping here for the weekend? 
• Or do you have to qualify for ownership by living here for a minimum period of time, like possibly two or three, or even ten years? 
• Do you have to pay a deposit to guarantee your ownership of the clinic? 
• How will we know who is an owner and who is not?

And what does ownership actually mean? 

• Does it mean that the name of each and every one of us on Gabriola is listed on the property deed and on the insurance policy for the clinic? 
• Does it mean that if there is a shortfall in the funds budgeted to pay the taxes, the insurance or the maintenance for the clinic, that all of us, as owners, have to kick in to make up the difference? 
• Also, what if there is a lawsuit registered against clinic, do we all get sued? 
• If the clinic goes into debt, and I want to apply for my own personal mortgage or line of credit, will my ownership of the clinic affect this?

Or perhaps it is just the members of the Board of Directors of the GHCS and GHCF who own the clinic, and they are holding it on behalf of everyone on Gabriola. 

• Does that mean if there is a financial shortfall or a lawsuit that they have to personally take responsibility for making things right, or can they come back on us, as members of the community, to bail them out. 
• Can they use their ownership of the clinic as collateral to back other loans? 
• And if some or all of them decide they don’t want to be involved in the clinic  anymore, can they just resign and walk away, leaving the other board members to carry the responsibility of ownership, or does someone from the community have to step up to the plate?
• How would we decide who should do that?  
• What if one or all of these board members decides that owning the clinic isn’t economically viable, can they sell the clinic? 
• If they do sell it, do we, as members of the community, all get a share of the proceeds from the sale, or can they keep all the money themselves?

As a community member, am I required to be an owner of the clinic?

• What if I decide it is too risky and choose not to become involved? 
• Does that mean I sacrifice my rights to health care on Gabriola Island? 
• If I am required to be an owner of the clinic, just because I live here, can I sell my share to someone else?
• Could I sell it to someone off island, out of province, or out of the country?

Could you take this to your bank?

We contacted Harvey Graham, Treasurer of GHCS/GHCF for a breakdown of the $ 715,000 the GHCS/GHCF has raised to date:

$ 463,000 (approx)               cash in hand

$ 100,000 (approx)               donations in kind

                                                e.g. working materials to build clinic

                                                (conservative estimated value)

$ 140,000 (approx)               pledges either due on fixed dates or

                                                at the commence of construction

Who IS a member of the GHCS? NOBODY ASKED ME!

The Gabriola Health Care Society and Foundation assumes to speak for ALL Gabriolans, whether full-time residents or not.

We know this is not the case.

Below are two definitions of Membership taken from GHCS website, which contradict each other. If you would like to express your feelings about this, please feel free to comment below or send us an email at shenam@shaw.ca

The Society

The Gabriola Health Care Society (GHCS) is a not-for-profit society incorporated in British Columbia.  Every Gabriolan over age 18 who agrees with GHCS goals is a member of the Society and is entitled to participate in the election of its directors.  (Non-Gabriolans are welcome to join if they wish – contact the Society through its WEB site.) The Society was established as the entity to be responsible for the development of the urgent care medical clinic and, in association with the medical practitioners on the Island and other government and non-government bodies, to assist with the coordination of the community health care services to be delivered on Gabriola.

(taken from GHCS website – clinic proposal)

http://www.ghcs.ca/IT_application/2010_GHCF%20Proposal,%20September%2020.pdf

Members

All residents of Gabriola Island, B.C. who assent to the purposes of the society and who are at the time at least 19 years of age will be members of the society unless such person has ceased to be a member as provided in the by-laws. Others may join by contacting the Society. That means that all Gabriolans that wish to will be able to participate in the election of the directors.

(taken from GHCS website -  GHCS & GHCF Members)

http://www.ghcs.ca/fdn_directors.html

Planning for Primary Health Care on Gabriola Island

In April of 2008 a Memorandum of Understanding was signed with the Ministry of Health, Vancouver Island Health Authority, Drs. Bosman, Harding, Hoffmann and Mackenzie and the Gabriola Health Care Society.  The Memorandum of Understanding was intended to provide solutions for facilitating a sustainable primary health care for Gabriola.

To enable and ensure physician participation and the provision of specific information about their practices and needs, a sum of twenty thousand ($20,000) was provided by the MOH to reimburse the doctors for their time and attendance at meetings.

Another fifty thousand ($50,000) was granted by the Ministry of Health to Gabriola Health Care Society to support the planning process, providing that the following criteria were met:

• Open invitation to residents to be involved in a planning process that utilizes methods such as surveys or town hall meetings
• Open invitation to all Gabriola physicians with patients on Gabriola
• Other health care providers from ambulance service, home and community care for example to be involved in the planning process
• Representatives from both VIHA and the MOH need to be at any public planning process
• Working hours for physicians are sustainable and support and maintain the health and wellbeing of the physicians
• Plan must be based upon: population based data, evidence, resident and provider experience
• MOH will provide examples of successful experiences from comparable communities to GHCS and the plan be informed by those experiences
• Plan benefits Gabriola by building upon the current investments and programs in primary health care and physician remuneration
• Plan to include indicators important to the residents and providers on Gabriola to measure progress and success.

The above information was excerpted from the Gabriola Health Care Society website, 2008 Public Health Care Sessions, Memorandum of Understanding.

ALLOCATION OF FUNDING TO DATE

- Excerpted from GHCS website, Interim Report on Planning 2008:

The funding to achieve the preceding criteria (Memorandum of Understanding) was allocated as follows:

Physicians received $100/hour for participating in meetings as per MOH & VIHA recommendation

Dr. Daile Hoffman received $25,000 for the following:

• Recognition of on-call services provided without remuneration from July 1, 2007 to April, 2008.
• Participation in planning meetings related to MOU.
• Provision of data re: emergency stats for Emergency Treatment Room.
• Provision of document outlining physicians schedules.

Dr. Francois Bosman received $25,000 for the following:

• Recognition of on-call services provided without remuneration from July 1, 2007 to September 30, 2008 (equivalent to approximately 40% of what he would have received under MOCAP)

Dr. Geoff Harding received $2,300 for the following:

• Participation in planning meetings related to MOU

Dr. Jim MacKenzie received $1,500 for the following

• Participation in planning meetings related to MOU

Public Engagement Meeting Expenses (Pre-planning– community groups, Public meeting, MOH/VIHA/Community groups) - $2,385.

Gabriola Health Care Meeting: Feb 28/08

The following is my summary of a significant health care meeting, held on Gabriola last week (Feb 26/08), and attended by senior representatives from the Ministry of Health and Vancouver Island Health Authority, along with stakeholders from the Gabriola community, including myself.  Ministry of Health and Vancouver Island Health Authority representatives have verified these statements for accuracy.  The following key issues were presented by MoH and VIHA:

·  Gabriola has a population of 4,500, half of whom choose to receive their medical care off island, leaving a total of approximately 2,300 who choose to seek medical care here on this island.  Medical Services Plan billing figures for Gabriola physicians support these figures.

·  The average volume for a successful family medical practice in the province of British Columbia is 1,200 patients per doctor.  Gabriola can therefore support two full time physicians or that equivalent in part time physicians.

·  No matter what we as a community think or want, no new physician is going to come to Gabriola and set up a medical practice, knowing they will not succeed financially, and be unable to pay their expenses.

·  We already have sufficient physicians to cover the current needs of the island, and Gabriola physicians are still accepting new patients.  We cannot expect to recruit or retain another full time physician without a dramatic change in population or usage.

·  Two full time medical doctors, or the equivalent in part time physicians, cannot provide full time emergency care or urgent care on Gabriola Island. The toll it would take on them, as individuals, would be unacceptable.

·  B. C. Ministry of Health says it has already spent $70,000 and countless hours on Gabriola, attempting to reach resolution of our health care requests.  No other community in B. C. has received as much funding or support.

·  Ministry of Health has designated Gabriola as a site to receive incentive funding in the Family Physicians for B. C. program, which assists in recruiting doctors to the island.  Most other communities that have requested this designation have not received it.

·  Gabriola has been designated to receive MOCAP funding for after hours medical care.  No other similar community in B. C. has received MOCAP funding.  Even without MOCAP, physicians in B. C. are paid extra for seeing patients after hours, the increments of pay increasing with the lateness of hour and advanced age of the patient. 

·  Gabriola's population is slightly younger than many other communities in this area, and somewhat healthier. Our chronic care statistics are consistent with those of other communities in the province.

·  Gabriola is not unique, special, or more deserving.  There are at least thirty similar communities in the province who have no physician at all. It is in our best interests to work together to appreciate and support the existing health care services already available on the island.                                                  

Verna Gregson

Submitted to and verified by VIHA and Ministry attendees

Letter to Islands Trust

Dear Sir/Madame;


I would like to put my oar in to the discussion on the building of a New Health Care facility and the Rezoning of Forestry land to IN3/4 to accommodate this.

I strongly urge the Trustees to consider changes be made to the applicant's proposal before we sacrifice 4 acres of  80 acres of Forestry zoned lands  currently owned by Mr. Bob Rooks. Why are we so willing to lose Forestry lands in lieu of using appropriately zoned lands for these purposes?

I commend the GHCS for pursuing a cistern-only water supply and would be most supportive of this, but there is an offer of a well by Windecker Well Drilling who have identified locations on the site. Knowing the irresistability of a FREE offer, the GHCS would be sorely tempted to take advantage of this generous offer, just as they have tentatively accepted the offer of free land from Mr. Rooks. They have cited the need for a well as back up on their harvested water supply.

I ask the question "If the GHCS Clinic plan has a sufficient secure water-harvesting proposal, is the drilling of a well excessive, and pose risks to neighboring wells?" Or is this another example of the "New Entitlement Expectations" of Canadians that we must have it all at our convenience no matter what the consequences for the neighbours?

As to GCHS supplying Medical Labs and Helicopter Pads and Ambulance Stations in their proposal, all three of these exist already and work beautifully. The duplicating of services and facilities is not only wasteful but also impinges on the jobs, businesses and services already operating on Gabriola.

In the staff report section to the IT, staff reccommends that "IN3 zone seems better suited to this application", siting our aging populations' future needs.Is the overly - generous offer of 4 acres being proposed for future subdivision? Are there not enough existing IN3 parcels in the OCP that already would address Gabriola's future needs for nursing homes and convalescent homes?

I have always thought that the health care on Gabe has been very good. We have a top-notch 1st Responders Team and an Ambulance Society staffed by well-trained and compassionate folks. On top of this we have access to an Emergency Ferry that will take people to Nanaimo when the Quinsam is put to bed. In extreme cases we have a Helicopter Emergency Evacuation that has been used often with great success. I can't count the number of "Smiles " in the Sounder crediting our wonderful Health care provision and staff who regularly save lives. Couple this with the Nanaimo Medical Arts Centre Drop-in Clinic only 25 minutes away that is open 7 days a week , Monday to Friday 9AM to 9PM Saturday, Sunday & most holidays 10:30-5:00PM. Gabriolans have a lot of health care most communities would die for (pardon the pun).

Compared to many rural BC Communities, Gabriola is exceptionally well served ( as was pointed out in the Wellness Survey, conducted recently on Gabriola.) I think of many First Nations rural communities that struggle to get decent housing and potable water - never mind a state of the art health clinic.

I am sure that we will continue to have excellent health care on Gabriola with  a new clinic. However existing businesses and services will be undermined and adversely affected by the relocation of our medical clinic. The loss of tenants from existing rental sites to a purpose built Medical Clinic would not only have impact on the owners of these centres, (creating unused units) but would also impact  the merchants adjacent to the existing offices, who provide meals, snacks and goods within the ordinary commerce of the Village commercial area and in the case of Twin Beaches , the Gym, The Bakery, The Skol Pub Liquor Store, and Gabriola Automotive.

I think our community is, as always generously supportive of good causes. And this is a well intentioned cause with many  positive attributes but also some quite brutal and irreversible consequences; water security, loss of jobs, loss of Forestry lands, and duplication of services. It brings to mind the quote "The road to hell is paved with good intentions". 

Nancy Crozier

IS IT OR ISN’T IT? (The Trouble with Surveys)

Gabriola Sounder
November 9, 2010

The Data and Services Committee of the Gabriola Health Care Society has released the preliminary results of the Wellness Survey.
In terms of how the study is related to the proposed clinic, Dave (Innell, Chair of the Data and Services Committee) said:
“The study had nothing to do with the proposed clinic, it was just the same community group doing it.”

“I think it was interesting that 76 per cent of the people who have a regular doctor are on the island.”

“They are using a lot of the alternative services, medical lab, the dentist on the island.”

“This will help make the case with VIHA that people are using the services on the island and that the major issue people have is not cost, it is putting that appointment in with the ferry schedule.”

“It helps make the case that these services are on the island and there is a value to having that clinic.

“That’s the relationship with the survey and the clinic; it helps support the case of having the clinic here.”

http://www.soundernews.com/fullstory/EklAFEVAlprAXsdbuX.shtml

Is this worth giving up?

The Trouble with Statistics

GHCS Wellness Survey results released - 75% of Gabriolans ‘satisfied’ with life on island

Headline in Gabriola Sounder

November 9, 2010

ONLY 418 surveys were returned.

That represents around 8.36% of the population of Gabriola, which the Chamber of Commerce calculates at a little over 5,000 people. This survey was done in the summer months when our population rises substantially to over 12,000) At which point the survey would only represent around 3.48% of the population.

So if we wanted to play with the figures some more, we could conservatively guess that 418 surveys represent an average of 4.51% (an average between 8.36% and 3.48%) Whichever way you cut it, it’s nowhere anywhere near 75%!

So is it not misleading to say that “75% of Gabriolans are ‘satisfied’ with life on the island.”?  And then follow this title statement with a list of other percentages, allowing people to assume that these following percentages referred to all of Gabriolans?

http://www.ghcs.ca/images/Gabriola_Survey_Results_November_2010.pdf

http://www.soundernews.com/fullstory/EklAFEVAlprAXsdbuX.shtml

Fear as a Tool

In the case of terrorism, catastrophe or health issues, the use of fear to motivate people to follow your cause is very effective. It can isolate, divide, or stagnate groups of people long enough for you to achieve your goal. After the deed is done then you can sit back and say “we did it for your own good!” Gabriola is not immune to this technique, not by a long shot!

There is nothing to fear, just the opinion of a very small contingent of people. Don’t give them the power they do not have. Stand up for what you believe in your heart and speak with commitment, logic and common sense. YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

Please feel FREE to comment below or email us at shenam@shaw.ca or call (250)247-9354 or (250)247-7991

Affordable Alternatives

Gabriola Professional Centre has, on three occasions in the last four years, presented the Gabriola Health Care Society with proposals for rental space in our building. We have offered to accommodate their clinical and office needs as a whole, or on an as needed basis, allowing for growth and future development as it occurs. They could have joined our existing complement of excellent health care providers and avoided the costs of building and maintaining a separate facility.

In none of these instances has the GHCS given consideration to our proposals.  They have never inquired as to rental costs, leasing terms, or conditions of tenancy.  They have never even looked at the spaces available and, in fact, have actually refused to do so when offers have been made.

Is it responsible to undertake the uncertain costs and risks involved in building an entirely new facility, requiring rezoning and public funding, when there are adequate spaces available elsewhere on Gabriola?  When we, as a community, express concerns about the homeless and the hungry on our island, can we justify building a brand new, state of the art, technologically advanced, purpose-built medical facility that may never be used to full capacity, and has not proven it can sustain itself financially? Does this really demonstrate a genuine concern for the “health and wellbeing” of our community?”

Verna Gregson

Gabriola Professional Centre Ltd.
590 North Road
Gabriola Island, B.C.

Is this really worth sacrificing?

There is another alternative

Letter to the Editor

Gabriola Sounder
Monday, November 29 2010

No one can argue the emergency treatment room at Twin Beaches has been effective in stabilizing and triaging patients. But the community should be aware of an affordable alternative to the building of another facility.

The layout of the current clinic was designed by the Gabriola Health Care Society. In less than one year they were stating more space was required. The existing facility at Twin Beaches is not being fully utilized. Currently, space is being sub-rented to a physiotherapist, space that could be used to accommodate another doctor and an enlargement of the existing emergency room.

A press release by the Gabriola Health Care Society that states by owning a facility instead of renting, they would be able to better control costs, is arguable. The society would have to pay all the property taxes, repairs and maintenance and insurance where now they only pay a proportionate share of these costs. There is room to expand the existing space which the landlord has offered to do. This would minimize the need for a substantial capital investment and increasing operating costs which the society would incur if they build a facility.

Many people are assuming the Vancouver Island Health Authority will equip and subsidize the new facility. There is no commitment from the authority to do so. Funds for medical equipment and trained staff to operate that equipment would have to be raised. The projected budget seems inadequate to cover all these costs.

Will the rental income from the doctors be enough to cover the operating expenses or will the residents of Gabriola be constantly encouraged to keep paying for what might become a money pit?

These are concerns that should be discussed before moving forward.

~ Kelly Brooks, President, Twin Beaches

Excellent health care at Gabriola Professional Centre

Letter printed in the Flying Shingle 

Monday, November 1 2010

Dear Editor,

I would very much like to thank you for your Sept. 10 article about the services offered at the Gabriola Professional Centre here on Gabriola Island. This was an excellent piece of journalism. I’m sure it reminded your readers of the excellent quality of the health care services that we already have on the island today.

The Gabriola Professional Centre is an integral part of these services. I have been a patient of the three doctors who have held their practices at this location the last six years, including Dr. MacKenzie. I have been referred to the top gynaecologist on Vancouver Island, an exceptional ophthalmologist, a leading allergist and an expert on breathing disorders. I also have complete access to preventative and alternative medicine here at the Gabriola Professional Centre. In all cases I have had nothing but the very best of care and attention.

I would not be alive today without the incredible attention, care, and professional expertise of the first responders on this island, and that was before we had any doctors on call. This included travelling to Nanaimo in our emergency response craft. I know from the frequent accolades in the papers that I am not the only one who has had this experience. I think it is fair and accurate to say that anyone who has had need of the 911 first responders on this island has had superior care, and the services provided are second to none in this province.

What your article reminded me of was that we may want to keep our attention focused on the fact that we do indeed have excellent medical services already available. Perhaps we should be considering adding more preventative and alternative health care to these existing services.

We could then keep our attention and funds on supporting and increasing all of the services, instead of raising money for something that may or may not be achievable, or realistic to uphold.

Shena Meadowcroft

Why this blog?

Over the last few months I have been inundated with requests for financial support for the proposed new clinic on Gabriola, heard a lot of information that has raised concerns about the viability of building and maintaining the clinic, and more recently have become increasingly concerned about the conflict of interest in the rezoning application of the land for the clinic.

I have recently been bombarded with emails insisting that we all support the rezoning application and I realized that there is no one centralized area for the “other side of the story.” Hence the blog.

The goal of this blog is to provide a forum: for those who have questions about the whole clinic issue, for those who have concerns about the viability of this community supporting long-term this project, for those who are confused by the barrage of misinformation, for those who question why so many of the people who were first heavily involved in the project have walked away, and so much more.

The more that we can have an open, honest discussion about our concerns, misgivings, and questions, the more we can compare notes and establish the facts around past and present events, the more likely that people on Gabriola can make decisions from a factual, informed perspective.

Distasteful Experience at GHCF Auxilary Office

Seeking ice-cream earlier this summer, my partner and I found ourselves in the offices of the Gabriola Health Care Foundation Auxiliary Office at Folklife Village. We were asked if we were aware of the fundraising for the proposed new clinic. At one point the lady, who we since identified as Nancy Nevison, chair of the Health Care Auxiliary, stated that we only had two doctors on Gabriola. I said I understood there were four. She reiterated that there were two: Dr. Bosman and Dr. Thorne. I asked about Dr. Smith. I was told that he was semi-retired and did not do on-call emergency work. I then asked about Dr. MacKenzie. Nancy Nevison informed us that Dr. MacKenzie didn’t count and anyway his salary was paid by “Verna.” I was completely taken back by this comment and pursued it.

Dr. MacKenzie is my doctor and his practice is in the Gabriola Professional Centre. I assumed she was talking about Verna Gregson, the owner of the building, and Nancy Nevison confirmed this. I said that it was my understanding that all doctors in general practice were paid by the province. She insisted that his salary was paid by Verna Gregson, and inferred that he was operating as a private doctor. I told her that I would not be able to be his patient were he a private doctor as I was not in a financial position to do so, but she kept pushing the point.

Nancy Nevison then went on to insist that Dr. MacKenzie could not do referrals as the other two doctors the island could. Again I corrected her, assuring her that he could and did do referrals. She eventually conceded that maybe if it were an emergency, he could perhaps refer someone to the Nanaimo Hospital. I informed her that I had an appointment for an ultrasound in Nanaimo the following day, which had set up by Dr. MacKenzie’s office. In the six years of living on Gabriola I had been refereed to at least five first class specialist and services by Dr. MacKenzie, and the two previous doctors (Dr. Harding and Dr. MacPherson) in that practice.

I came away with a very bad taste in my mouth. The information that Nancy Nevison insisted on imparting was untrue and her derogatory and inaccurate remarks about Verna Gregson and Dr. MacKenzie insulting and offensive. I have always maintained that if you can’t promote a product or service based on its attributes, but have to resort to bad-mouthing the “competition” you don’t have a product or service.