The intention of this letter is to once again draw attention to: 1) the dire conditions of McKinney Place and the need for its replacement with a new up-to-date facility; and 2) refurbishing the old McKinney Place into a much needed Primary Health Care Centre with all related health care services available on one site. This would include access to hospital services such as ER, patient care facility, lab, Xray, palliative care, outpatient services, administrative services, thus creating a “campus of care.”

It takes approximately 10-plus years, unless expedited, from the start of planning to completion of a project and we have let yet another year pass without any action on this matter. 

On Feb 22/22, I wrote a letter to Oliver mayor and town council which was referenced and published  in an article by the Times Chronicle on Mar 2/22. In that letter, I requested, that they send letters to all those financially interested local, regional, and provincial governmental bodies regarding the need for a comprehensive review of McKinney Place. To my knowledge and to date the only acknowledgement from Interior Health to this letter or for that matter any government ministry or person has been that a review of the many deaths and illnesses which occurred in McKinney place during the COVID-19 pandemic were the largest per capita in the province, that the four-bed wards together with the age of the 1970 facility rendered infection control very difficult, and control of disease spread among clients and staff was a major challenge, regardless of the heroic attempts of all staff to control same. However, Interior Health nor any of the other individuals, agencies and or ministries to which the Town of Oliver directed the requests for a comprehensive review have come forward with a dedicated plan, budget or funding for major renovations to McKinney Place.

 Interior Health did state in a followup article in the Times Chronicle on Mar 16/22 that monies had been spent on McKinney Place which one would expect were upkeep monies as there remains no visual evidence of improvements to specific deficiencies, such as the elimination of the four-bed wards. 

A campus of care would bring together all the elements to facilitate better communications among all health care services located on the site. It would increase interaction with all those on site, encourage teamwork with all caregivers, improve retention and recruitment by creating a more amicable space with all in close proximity. Most importantly, a new McKinney Place would provide an environment conducive to safer care, more home-like and less institutional living for residents in the last chapter of their lives.

The primary care component of this campus could include:

  • A reception area for all the services located therein, a multi-purpose area for immunization clinic, prenatal clinics, educational activities, etc.
  • Doctors offices, examining rooms and treatment room, etc.
  • The public health centre which is now located in the southeast wing of SOGH would be moved to this refurbished facility
  • The home care nursing and palliative care nurses would also be moved from SOGH south east wing to this space.
  • Establish new space for a community social worker, community dietician, community nurse practitioners, community physiotherapy and occupational therapy. 
  • Repatriate the South Okanagan Home Support Services, supervisors and scheduling services which was moved from Oliver to Penticton Health Centre back to Oliver. 
  • Establish a hospice society office in the Primary Health Centre.
  • Establish a First Nation liaison office with agreement and cooperation with the Osoyoos Indian Band for the purpose of education of all those in the facility and support of First Nation patients, clients and staff. 

The space vacated in SOGH by the Public Health Unit and allied services could be refurbished for innovative use such as expansion of the ER, hospice or palliative care beds. The present McKinney Place with its large reception, desk area, multi-purpose space and three wings with client care rooms and four-bed wards and service areas would provide ample room for the primary health centre. 

WHEN ? NOW – All that is needed now is the commitment of ; the Government of BC , Minister of Health, Ministry of Health, Treasury Board , Interior Authority Board and Chair, Interior Health CEO, Okanagan Similkameen Regional Health District  Chair , South Okanagan Medical FoundationBoard Chair and the Vice President Clinical Operations IH South for a dedicated PLAN, Budget and funding.

Respectfully

Betty Lou Trimmer Bahnsen, Oliver

RN ( Retired ) DPHN, BScN, MPH