After nearly a year of frustration and anger, the people of Wawota are generally pleased at the news from Sun Country Health Region, that additional long term beds will be added to long term care in the town's Deer View Lodge. The official press release was received at "The Observer" on Wednesday, May 4, and was communicated to Wawota's "News in a minute" to enable residents to learn about the move before the weekend.
Back in June of last year, five beds were closed in the D-wing at the Wawota facility. Initially, the reason given for the closure was financial in nature, although later the health region justified the move based upon health and safety issues. This turn-about did nothing to endear Sun Country to the people of the town, who had formed a "Save our Beds" committee to pressure the region for a reversal of the decision. If anything, it fuelled the fires of discontent, and caused emotions to rise to the point of anger and distrust.
Now, after a prolonged "battle" between the town and the health region, it appears that the winds of positive change are blowing. "We've listened to the community's concerns" says Sharon Bauche, Chair, SCRHA. "And found a solution that allows us to open up more beds in a safe location."
In an interview with "The Observer" Mrs. Bauche explained that a group from Sun Country would be working with architects and members of the Save our Beds committee, to determine the space available in other parts of the building, and the costs and time lines of converting such space for the placement of the beds.
This news was confirmed in an interview with Dale Easton, Chair of the Wawota group, who added "We're looking forward to that, we looked at the area and have some ideas of our own. We hope they'll mesh with what the architect thinks." Easton also said, "The committee is happy with the decision. We're a little unsure of how it will move forward, but all indications are positive, there's been good communication back and forth. There's a lot of water under the bridge, we want to put it behind us and work together in a positive way."
Although many residents echo these hopeful sentiments, it is going to take some time and concrete action to erase the hostility that Wawota has felt towards the health region. One resident said they should re-write the marriage vows, changing "Until death us do part" to "Until the health service part us." Indeed, this has been the experience of some families, and it has caused deeply-harboured bitterness.
Ultimately, while the news is good, it would be in Sun Country's best interests to act quickly on their press release, giving the town as many beds as the facility is able to handle within the parameters of provincial guidelines. If Sun Country openly shows that they are both listening to and working with local people in this matter, they will begin to rebuild the trust that was so totally demolished over the last eleven months. When and if this happens, not only will Sun Country experience victory, more importantly so will the people of Wawota, and the families of the people who will occupy those beds.
