Doctor Alan Ruddiman from Oliver is a strong supporter of a publicly funded health care system. TrudelPhoto.com
People rarely hear (or care about) the election for the president’s seat of Doctors of BC, but this time it’s different because an Oliver physician is in the spotlight.
Dr. Alan Ruddiman is in a run-off against orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Brian Day from Vancouver.
The recent election made headlines because Day initially defeated Ruddiman by one vote (946-945).
Based on principle, and some encouragement from others, Ruddiman requested a recount, which ultimately resulted in a tie vote. Now a run-off election is being held, with the last day of voting on June 18.
“We’ve never found ourselves in this position before,” Ruddiman told the Chronicle.
The rural physician with 24 years’ experience is running for president-elect because he wants to inspire other leaders to support the association’s goals in BC.
Ruddiman said doctors have to do better to put their patients first.
“We can and must do better to lead the health authorities in seeking solutions to ER gridlocks and hospital overcrowding.”
The physician said doctors must free up ER and acute care beds and reclaim them as functional acute beds to ensure timely care to patients.
Ruddiman also believes more must be done to fill the gap in child mental health services.
He is a staunch supporter of a publicly funded healthcare system as opposed to a private system, where only the wealthy can afford medical care.
Day says Canada’s health system is performing badly, and it is time for BC doctors to take a leadership role in liberating patients and physicians from policies that ration access and funding.
Day is quick to point out that he does not support a private health care system.
As former president of the Canadian Medical Association, Day is pushing for patient focused funding.
In Oliver, recruiting new doctors is still an issue that local physicians are working on. Ruddiman said.
He is excited to announce that a family physician by the name of Yves Thomas is moving to Oliver this summer.
