Interior Health says a laboratory in the community health centre in downtown Trail will stay open permanently, reversing a decision of more than a year ago to close it.
In a news release this afternoon, the health authority said the move was made “following engagement with community leaders, patients, physicians and staff, whose input reinforced the importance of maintaining laboratory services at Trail Health Centre.”
The lab’s sustainability is expected to be supported through the development of a medical lab assistant training program at Selkirk College’s Trail campus, which will help train and retain lab professionals locally.
Mayor Colleen Jones and city council led the charge to prevent the closure. Jones said earlier this year that she was optimistic that the lab would be preserved.
In a Facebook post, Jones praised the decision.
“This is the outcome all of us have been waiting for,” she said. “Residents spoke up. Physicians and staff shared their concerns and experience. Community organizations advocated. People wrote letters, asked questions and made it clear how important this service is to Trail and our surrounding communities. And we were heard.”
Jones said she has been told that staffing challenges still lie ahead, and there “may be some bumps along the way” as new lab professionals are trained and recruited. “But today, we celebrate!”
Urgent and acute laboratory services will continue to be available at Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital for patients presenting to the emergency department, admitted patients, and patients who need urgent lab testing related to their care.
The health authority said for added convenience, outpatient laboratory services will also continue to be available at the LifeLabs Trail Patient Service Centre at Waneta Plaza. LifeLabs will also maintain its mobile laboratory collection service for vulnerable patients who are unable to travel to a collection site.
