Dr. Robert Calder is an experienced and respected physician, accomplished triathlete and very straight shooter.

That’s why it would be difficult to disagree with anything he says about the quality of healthcare services in the South Okanagan.

Dr. Calder is the longest-serving physician in the South Okanagan as he has operated a successful family practice since moving to Osoyoos 42 years ago back in 1975. He’s also a founder of the Osoyoos Medical Centre, which has been home to numerous outstanding physicians over the past many years.

During an informative and wide-ranging interview last week with the Osoyoos Times, Dr. Calder didn’t hesitate in voicing his opinion about what he believes is wrong with the system.

When Dr. Peter Entwistle announced three weeks ago he was stepping down at the end of March as chief of staff at South Okanagan General Hospital (SOGH), it shocked a lot of people.

Dr. Calder wasn’t one of them.

The reality is a small, but dedicated core of physicians in Oliver and Osoyoos – and a few who go out of their way to help the cause from Penticton – have been working long hours to operate the Emergency Room (ER) at SOGH for many years.

Another reality, according to Dr. Calder and Dr. Entwistle, is many of them are getting burned out.

All of the physicians who work in the ER at SOGH run successful family practices where most of them put in 50 and 60 hour work weeks on a regular basis.

Time spent in the ER is on top of those ridiculously long hours they already work.

When a well-heeled administrator hired by Interior Health suggested to the Town of Osoyoos council recently that “everything is rosy” and there aren’t any problems at SOGH, Dr. Calder says that’s simply not true.

Who do you believe?

With his vast experience and knowledge, Dr. Calder believes there are some viable solutions, but they will cost money – money Interior Health hasn’t appeared willing to spend after a litany of complaints by physicians and patients over a long period of time.

Hiring full-time ER physicians would not only provide quality emergency care, but allow family physicians to concentrate on their own family practices.

There are many young medical students right out of medical school who would jump at the opportunity to work in a busy ER in the gorgeous South Okanagan.

Hiring a full-time healthcare recruitment professional is also needed, he said. Other towns and cities have taken that route with great success.

It’s time management at Interior Health considers these options and quits playing politics by insisting everything is peachy keen and running smoothly.

When a committed and respected physician like Dr. Entwistle quits as chief of staff and is so upset, he announces his candidacy to run for public office for the first time in his life, you know there are serious issues that need addressing.

On a more positive note, Dr. Calder is thrilled to announce the hiring of Dr. Jayden McIntyre, a recent medical school graduate from northern B.C., who will be joining the Osoyoos Medical Centre in early July.

McIntyre is not only currently accepting new patients, but he’s willing and ready to be part of the ER team of doctors at SOGH.

Considering everything that is going on with the regional healthcare system, he can’t arrive soon enough.