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MP’s Get Input On Health Care

Jun 1, 2018 | 3:49 PM

The Member of Parliament planning to introduce a bill to strengthen Canada’s Health Act was in Vernon today.

Dr. Kellie Leitch, Conservative M-P for Simcoe-Grey, and North Okanagan Shuswap Tory MP Mel Arnold were getting input from stakeholders on the health care system.

“I was very pleased with the turnout and the discussion here in Vernon today,” says Leitch. “What I heard was similar to what I have been hearing from medical professionals and patients across the country. There may be specific regional challenges, but overall people are saying that wait times are too long, there needs to be more accountability and that changes are needed to how we do health care in
Canada.”

Pictured: Mel Arnold, North Okanagan Shuswap MP

Arnold says they also explored ways stakeholders can work together to develop strategies to improve the quality of care for local residents.

“Some challenges facing health care in the North Okanagan-Shuswap are common to communities across Canada while others are more specific to our region,” says Arnold. “Today’s meeting strengthened my understanding of the needs and priorities for health care in our region and I appreciate Dr. Leitch and all the local representatives for taking the time to participate in this important discussion.”

Attendees who joined in on the conversation included physicians, nurses, health care advocates and representatives from organizations such as the Shuswap Hospital Foundation and Shuswap Hospice.