Councillors in the Northern Rockies have created a committee to help address the primary care shortage in the community, which may intensify later this year.
A draft overview of the new committee’s role was provided to the Northern Rockies regional municipal council at a recent meeting, after the council approved its creation earlier this month.
The primary care stabilization planning committee will work to “support proactive planning” ahead of the expected departure of some physicians this summer.
“Healthcare is a cornerstone of the sustainability of our community, and we know there’s a lot of issues coming up,” said Mayor Rob Fraser during council’s initial discussion on the topic.
“Primary care issues – with respect to doctors, and the viability of the clinic, and the future of the clinic – we really need to get this right,” added Fraser.
“(The committee is mandated to) identify and evaluate governance, partnership and service delivery models used in other rural and northern jurisdictions,” staff said in the proposed terms of reference.
Members will also “explore potential infrastructure, funding and operational considerations.” Committee members will also reflect on the current and anticipated state of primary care in Fort Nelson and analyze potential solutions.
Committee members will review the current and anticipated state of primary care in Fort Nelson and analyze potential solutions.
At the midpoint of this year, a final report will be presented to the regional municipal council. The committee will describe its findings after speaking with stakeholders such as Northern Health and consulting similar communities.
After the work is completed, the committee will be dissolved unless councillors direct otherwise.
To fund the research, including consultations, $65,000 will be allocated in the 2026 budget – $30,000 from the health professionals’ services budget and the remainder from regional advocacy funds.
“As tight as money is, I think this would be money well spent,” said regional municipal councillor Lorraine Gerwig, who will chair the committee.
“This is an exercise in how a community actually takes its future into its own hands, even though it’s not in our wheelhouse,” said councillor Danny Soles during the Jan. 29 gathering.
“From a council perspective, to try to push the needle forward on healthcare, I think this is a really awesome committee.”
Despite primary care being a provincial responsibility, councillors said local intervention is necessary.
Some physicians are expected to leave the community, and healthcare professionals at Fort Nelson General Hospital could be stretched thinner as more patients seek in-person care.
If staffing shortages force the facility to close, as has happened previously, the closest hospital is in Fort St. John, over 350 kilometres away.
