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 region91裸聊视频檚 emergency department.

But organizer Marilyn Mulldoon says she91裸聊视频檚 not deterred by a small presence, with around 20 people showing up. A small presence, she said, doesn91裸聊视频檛 necessarily mean a lack of consensus in the community.

91裸聊视频淨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,91裸聊视频� Mulldoon said.

The rally in Osoyoos91裸聊视频檚 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.

91裸聊视频淭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 91裸聊视频� they91裸聊视频檙e going to find yet another advisory that on a particular date, don91裸聊视频檛 get sick, don91裸聊视频檛 think of dying because nobody91裸聊视频檚 going to be at the ER,91裸聊视频� 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.

91裸聊视频淚f I get into trouble, I can anticipate that I91裸聊视频檝e got to go 63 kilometres from my door to the ER door in Penticton,91裸聊视频� she said, noting that the most recent closure was 91裸聊视频渏ust the straw that broke me.91裸聊视频�

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

91裸聊视频淗e physically leaves town and goes and stays with relatives in case he needs the ER on that given time,91裸聊视频� she said. 91裸聊视频淪ome people might consider that a severe reaction, but I think it91裸聊视频檚 kind of prudent and wise.91裸聊视频�

She added that he91裸聊视频檚 lucky to have family he can stay with that is near an emergency department, noting a number of people 91裸聊视频渄on91裸聊视频檛 have that luxury.91裸聊视频�

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 doesn91裸聊视频檛 provide the in-depth care that many need.

But currently the emergency department is being used as a walk-in clinic for those who don91裸聊视频檛 have a family physician, and with summer officially here, the ER is likely to get busier.

91裸聊视频淎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,91裸聊视频� 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.

91裸聊视频淪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,91裸聊视频� she said. 91裸聊视频淢any of them would enjoy the outdoor activities here. Even if it91裸聊视频檚 just for two years.91裸聊视频�

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

91裸聊视频淐losing ERs is pretty much playing russian roulette with patients91裸聊视频� health. It91裸聊视频檚 a crapshoot,91裸聊视频� she said. 91裸聊视频淵ou91裸聊视频檙e leaving people hanging on there, just hanging on the edge of a cliff. That91裸聊视频檚 not fair; that91裸聊视频檚 not right. That91裸聊视频檚 not what we pay our medical premiums for.91裸聊视频�

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