BC’s Health Minster is defending a recent visit to the Ashcroft hospital, that some critics say was “waste of time.”

Adrian Dix says he went to Ashcroft last week to better understand the issues facing the community, after meeting with the Mayor and Council at the UBCM Convention last month.

“It doesn’t preclude other meetings. In the last really short period, I’ve met with Mayor and Council at Ashcroft, and the MLA [Jackie Tegart] was at that meeting,” he said. “I’ve visited Ashcroft. These are indications that we take the issue seriously, and we’re going to continue to.”

Dix says the government is trying its best to restore service levels at the Ashcroft hospital, especially after repeated ER closures this year, that has frustrated area residents.

“There was certainly no intent for my visit to Ashcroft to be a full visit or anything. I simply went there to gain a little bit more understanding after my meeting with the mayor at the UBCM,” Dix added. “I had said that I would go up and take a look to help me as we try and improve service.”

Speaking on the NL Morning News, Dix added that he has heard the issues loud and clear.

“The changes that everybody in Ashcroft objects to were made in 2015, but they weren’t made because the previous minister Terry Lake didn’t care about Ashcroft. They were made because of circumstances of shortages,” he said.  “What I want to do is especially improve primary care and provide stability in Ashcroft. And I know people in the community both want more and have expressed strong concerns, and I’ve heard them.”

He adds he will be closely following the outcome of a public meeting that is set for next Thursday.