Moira Stilwell promises policies to assist Northern B.C.
She says she speaks to a system she has spent 32 years in.
Provincial Liberal leadership candidate and MLA for Vancouver-Langara Dr. Moira Stilwell unveiled her healthcare platform earlier this week during her Northern B.C. tour.
“It’s one of the most important issues,” she told the Observer during a brief stop in the Gold Pan City, adding delivery and management of the healthcare system cannot continue down its current path.
Stilwell proposed three main changes she believes are most in need of attention and offer the best opportunities for successful reform.
1) Improve health care in rural and Northern B.C.
• Encourage young doctors to learn from those who are more experienced, particularly in rural areas and northern communities.
• Provide incentives for northern and rural doctors to mentor and train their replacements.
• Bring home young Canadians who are studying medicine abroad to serve their communities in B.C.
“We need to bring our kids home,” she said.
“There are literally hundreds of British Columbians who want to return to the communities where they grew up to do their residencies, but because they chose to study medicine in a different country, we won’t let them. We need to change this policy immediately, because it isn’t helping anyone.”
2) Provide better and more comprehensive services to the sickest patients to bring costs under control.
“A poorly managed chronic disease is like setting off a chain of dominoes. It usually ends up with the patient having a few chronic diseases, spending a lot of time in emergency rooms, acute care beds, and then eventually in long term care,” Stilwell said.
“These services are the most expensive ones we provide.”
3) Have a public discussion about what type of private care best meets the needs of the public system.
“People find this topic an emotional one,” Stilwell said.
“People have close-held views. But private care exists in B.C. We need to open up discussion as to what kind of private care.”
Stilwell also addressed economic issues, speaking to “securing the future.”
“British Columbia owes a lot to communities like Quesnel,” she said.
Stilwell points to knowledge and training as a stepping stone to a secure economy.
“That’s why I pledge $10 million to the College of New Caledonia to develop a civil engineering program,” she said, adding her commitment to lower student loan rate percentages.
“We have a lack of skilled workers. I want everyone to have the opportunity to receive the training they need.”
The B.C. Liberal Party will select their next leader Feb. 26. Joining Stilwell in the race is MLA for Shuswap George Abbott, former MLA for Port-Moody Burnaby Christy Clark, MLA for Abbotsford West Mike de Jong, MLA for Surrey-Cloverdale Kevin Falcon and Mayor of Parksville Ed Mayne.