Just a handful of people turned out for an Osoyoos rally over health care for the South Okanagan, sparked by the most recent closure of the region香蕉视频直播檚 emergency department.

But organizer Marilyn Mulldoon says she香蕉视频直播檚 not deterred by a small presence, with around 20 people showing up. A small presence, she said, doesn香蕉视频直播檛 necessarily mean a lack of consensus in the community.

香蕉视频直播淨uite often people are worried about being seen on camera, as well, many people have just given up hope that anything is going to change, here,香蕉视频直播� Mulldoon said.

The rally in Osoyoos香蕉视频直播檚 Gyro Park Friday afternoon came a week after the South Okanagan General Hospital overnight on June 16. It was the second time this month that Interior Health had announced the closure, but the first time a to keep the department running.

香蕉视频直播淭he people here today are fed up with ER closures and tired of living with the fear of when they open the paper or turn on Facebook 香蕉视频直播� they香蕉视频直播檙e going to find yet another advisory that on a particular date, don香蕉视频直播檛 get sick, don香蕉视频直播檛 think of dying because nobody香蕉视频直播檚 going to be at the ER,香蕉视频直播� Mulldoon said.

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Mulldoon, who suffers from an autoimmune disorder and has pulmonary complications, says she had been sick when the ER closure was announced, even considering heading to the hospital.

香蕉视频直播淚f I get into trouble, I can anticipate that I香蕉视频直播檝e got to go 63 kilometres from my door to the ER door in Penticton,香蕉视频直播� she said, noting that the most recent closure was 香蕉视频直播渏ust the straw that broke me.香蕉视频直播�

Mulldoon said one man she knows leaves town when emergency closures are announced.

香蕉视频直播淗e physically leaves town and goes and stays with relatives in case he needs the ER on that given time,香蕉视频直播� she said. 香蕉视频直播淪ome people might consider that a severe reaction, but I think it香蕉视频直播檚 kind of prudent and wise.香蕉视频直播�

She added that he香蕉视频直播檚 lucky to have family he can stay with that is near an emergency department, noting a number of people 香蕉视频直播渄on香蕉视频直播檛 have that luxury.香蕉视频直播�

While the Residents for Health Care group from Osoyoos and Oliver previously called for a walk-in clinic, the Town of Osoyoos and local doctors shot down the idea, noting that a walk-in doesn香蕉视频直播檛 provide the in-depth care that many need.

But currently the emergency department is being used as a walk-in clinic for those who don香蕉视频直播檛 have a family physician, and with summer officially here, the ER is likely to get busier.

香蕉视频直播淎nd the doctors deserve their summer holidays, too. They need time to be on vacation, time to spend with their family and time to spend on themselves for their own personal care,香蕉视频直播� Mulldoon said.

Acknowledging the issue that older doctors are often tied to their location with spouses in their own professions, Mulldoon suggested Interior Health target younger doctors, particularly recent medical school grads, noting that not all young doctors want to be in the bigger cities.

香蕉视频直播淪ome of them do, but then not all of them do. Many of them would like to be where they can serve families, friends and neighbours,香蕉视频直播� she said. 香蕉视频直播淢any of them would enjoy the outdoor activities here. Even if it香蕉视频直播檚 just for two years.香蕉视频直播�

As it is, Mulldoon says the emergency closures gives locals a sense of not mattering to the province and to health authorities.

香蕉视频直播淐losing ERs is pretty much playing russian roulette with patients香蕉视频直播� health. It香蕉视频直播檚 a crapshoot,香蕉视频直播� she said. 香蕉视频直播淵ou香蕉视频直播檙e leaving people hanging on there, just hanging on the edge of a cliff. That香蕉视频直播檚 not fair; that香蕉视频直播檚 not right. That香蕉视频直播檚 not what we pay our medical premiums for.香蕉视频直播�

Mulldoon says the group is looking at another rally in Oliver, where SOGH is located, though no plans have been solidified.