A petition asking for better emergency services at the Ashcroft Hospital after several recent weekend closures has been delivered to Fraser Nicola MLA Jackie Tegart, Health Minister Adrian Dix and Interior Health CEO Susan Brown.

Health and Wellness Coalition Chair Sheila Corneillie says members are lobbying to improve what they say has been deteriorating emergency services in Ashcroft over the last seven years.

“Our communities are asking for seven days a week. We believe that that will assist will recruitment rather than harm it,” she said. “If we can provide positions for all of those people who support our emergency services, including diagnostics, physicians and nurses, then we can have attractive positions that people will want to work at.”

Interior Health is trying to recruit staff to fill several vacancies, and Corneillie says people fear if they don’t speak up now, it will lead to the end of emergency services in the area.

“We travelled throughout the entire catchment area. We went to six First Nations, went to Spences Bridge, Ashcroft, Cache Creek and Clinton and all of those areas in between our smaller communities like Walhachin for example,” she added.

Corneillie was asked how the petition has been received by the people it was sent to.

“Jackie Tegart was there in person, it was received very well and she has offered her support in trying to find ways to get to a table,” Corneillie said. “We want to work with Interior Health and the Ministry of Health to find solutions and she’s offered to help make that happen. The other two petitions were sent by registered mail, and we have not heard anything yet.”

The Ashcroft ER was closed three times in May this year, and once each in January, February, and April.

Interior Health’s Executive Director for Clinical Operations David Matear says recruitment are underway after recent retirements, a maternity leave, and even a resignation in Ashcroft.