Recent History – 2001
July 13, 2001
DAWSON CREEK — Arleene Thorpe has been named to a 21-person Ministerial Advisory Committee on Rural Health.
Thorpe will be visiting such communities as Cranbrook, Nelson and Prince George to listen to concerns and suggestions about rural health care from residents.
“Basically, were the eyes and ears for the communities that the government can’t get to, Thorpe said.
Asked if the committee will visit Dawson Creek, Thorpe said she’s working on it and hopes to have a meeting here in late August.
Thorpe anticipates that concerns will be brought up about travel to see specialists and recruiting and retaining doctors and nurses. But she said that renewed co-operation between B.C. and Ottawa is reason to believe that progress will be made.
“There will certainly be programs that the federal government will introduce, and I’m hoping that we can tap into some of those funds because the provinces is struggling right now with finances,” she said.
Thorpe ran for the Liberals in the last federal election. She’s been in health care for about 25 years and is currently a community support worker at the South Peace Society for Community Living and a treasurer on the Dawson Creek and District Hospital Foundation.
“It’s going to be very interesting,” she said of the appointment. “I’ve really seen the need for a lot of various things out there and this is one way I can contribute and help.”
Other committee members hail from across the country. Thorpe is among three from B.C.
The appointments were part of a package of announcements regarding rural health care that were made Friday morning by federal Health Minister Allen Rock.