Northern Vision Study Enters New Phase

By 250 News

The study aimed at developing a cancer care strategy for the north, is now into it’s second stage, compiling all the information and writing the report.

The public consultation sessions that took the co-chairs to communities throughout the Northern Health Region are complete. 

Co Chair, Jeff Burghardt, says there was a common theme that emerged from the sessions, and it was all about time. “There were some very good examples of how people were treated very quickly and there were some examples of how people believed the process was very slow in getting a diagnosis, slow in getting test results, and slow when it came to appointments with the specialists.” He says the examples made it clear why some Northerners believe they are not getting the same access to care and treatment as people in the lower mainland.

Burghardt says it is clear there needs to be more of a team approach in small communities so G. P.’s in the smaller centres have more support when it comes to tests, diagnosis and treatment plans for patients.

He will also be making a presentation to the Regional District in the Northwest where concerns have been raised about road travel time to Prince George versus air travel times to Vancouver.  Burghardt says there is more to tavel than the convenience of flight time “There are a lot of people who have financial hardship who cannot afford to jump on a plane 3 or 4 times a year to be with a family member who is going through treatment.” He believes having services closer to home may be a factor when it comes to affordability, but it will all depend on  improving communication links and ties between G.P. Oncologists, chemo nurses and a possible Northern treatment  centre.

Burghardt expects the report to be delivered to the Premier by the end of June, and he isn’t ready to give any hints on what he and Co-Chair Charles Jago will recommend:

“We will make those recommendations to the Premier first, there are a lot of views about a Northern Cancer Treatment centre, among the residents, the professionals, and the Cancer agency.”  He expects the government will make the report public some time in September.

He is certain about one thing “We will work in a team environment to bring about the results that will best serve the people of the North.”

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