Trail’s mayor says talks aimed at preserving lab services at Trail’s community health centre are “very encouraging.”
In a Facebook post, Colleen Jones said she attended a meeting in January of a working group she sits along with representatives of Interior Health, LifeLabs, and community members.
For the moment, services continue to be provided at the downtown health centre, with workflow improvements now in place.
Jones said there are also positive signs for recruitment, with more staff expected over the next few months and the possibility of a lab assistant program being added at Selkirk College campus in the near future.
Jones said the community health centre seems to be working well for patients.
“Feedback has been largely positive, especially from seniors, who appreciate having medical care, lab work, pharmacy services and supports in one location,” she said.
But some concerns have been raised around communication and consistency when staffing levels change.
Jones said the working group continues to focus on maintaining a downtown lab, ensuring an Interior Health outpatient option, and providing support for surrounding communities through mobile and outreach services.
Interior Health announced last year that the blood lab would close and its staff and services moved to the regional hospital and LifeLabs at Waneta Plaza. However, after pushback from the community the health authority relented
Jones said no final decision has been made about the lab’s future but the group’s focus “remains on using real data and making sure decisions reflect what works best for our community.”
