The Sea to Sky Corridor is in danger of losing both its orthopaedic surgeons, warn Squamish councillors.
On April 30, Vancouver Coastal Health will decide whether to replace retiring knee specialist Dr. Patrick McConkey. McConkey is one of two doctors, the other being Dr. Alexandra Brooks-Hill, who do musculoskeletal work out of Squamish General Hospital.
After McConkey retires, health authority officials estimate the cost of maintaining the same service level is between $100,000 and $150,000, Coun. Patricia Heintzman told council at its Committee of the Whole meeting on March 27. It's a drop in the bucket when looking at the region's demand for such treatment, noted Heintzman, who chairs the Sea to Sky Regional Hospital District (SSRHD).
"If we go down one, the chances of losing our current [orthopaedic surgeon] is greatly increased," Heintzman said, adding that often occurs when there is a lack of backup and support in a specific field.
This issue has become a top priority for the region, Coun. Susan Chapelle said. Both McConkey and Brooks-Hill have waitlists, she said. As things stand, if McConkey is not replaced, residents will be forced to travel to Vancouver for medical care. They'll also lose the opportunity to be served by the same surgeon throughout their treatment, Chapelle noted.
On Friday (March 30), Heintzman voiced the district's concerns at the VCH governance liaison committee's regular meeting. The event opened up the lines of discussion, she said.
"I am hopeful that they heard how important this is to our communities," Heintzman said.
Over the long term, corridor health care professionals had hoped to make Squamish a destination spot for orthopaedic care, Chapelle said.
"We have everything in place to do the care," she said. "We need to do it in this community."
On Tuesday (April 3), Squamish council reiterated its stance, putting a resolution forward that outlines the importance of having two resident orthopaedic surgeons in the Sea to Sky Corridor.VCH officials did not return a request for an interview before press deadline.
Later this spring, VCH officials will have a plan developed for the delivery of orthopaedic services along the Sea to Sky Corridor, VCH spokesperson Trudi Beutel wrote in an email to The Chief. "These discussions are ongoing, and no decisions have been made to date," she wrote.
The model of care will aim to maximize existing operating room capacity, resource and manpower at both Squamish General Hospital and Lions Gate Hospital, Beutel noted. The plan will also provide a solution that recognizes the opportunities/limitations present at the existing hospital sites in order to provide higher levels of care, she stated.
