Chamber Talks Health

By 250 News

Prince George Chamber of Commerce  says Health has always been a business issue amongst its 950 members.  In fact, President Micheal Kerr says up until last year, Health was the number one item among businesses it is only this year that it has been knocked to the number two spot by the need for skilled labour.

Kerr says a vibrant business community is not one that focuses only on the selling of goods.  He says if there are  good health services,  it helps business to recruit and retain skilled employees.  Kerr says  there are needs for a variety of services including a cancer clinic, a sleep clinic and addiction services.

In making a presentation to Northern Health, Kerr says there is a need to look at several aspects of mental health including stress in the workplace.  Kerr says there are many different types of business, including forestry and oil and gas workers, who are working "flat out".  He also says the Chamber has an interest in what is being developed for seniors.  Kerr says many of the business members are experiencing stress because they are in the "sandwich generation" which is trying to look after aging parents in addition to  putting  children through University

Board Chair, Jeff Burghardt says the themes are familiar "Many of the Chamber's concerns have been discussed and looked at  as part of our deliberations, and they are some real challenge areas for us".  Burghardt added that just as the Chamber  faces recruitment and retention issues, there are major recruitment and retention issues faced by Northern Health to provide the kind of services the Chamber President talked about.

Kerr asked Northern Health Board members to consider running for a post on the Chamber's elected executive.  He says the Chamber is willing to work with Northern Health to help achieve regional goals.

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