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B.C. woman lashes out at Interior Health over job posting for a new doctor that glosses over fire disaster

A job posting for a family physician in Lytton has raised the ire of some in the community. They’re upset because the posting describes an idyllic community, and makes no reference to the fact most of it was destroyed by fire nearly a year ago.
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Some Lytton residents areupset because the ad describes an idyllic community, and makes no reference to the fact most of it was destroyed by fire nearly a year ago.

A job posting for a family physician in Lytton has raised the ire of some in the community.

They’re upset because the posting describes an idyllic community, and makes no reference to the fact most of it was destroyed by fire nearly a year ago.

Among those taking issue with the picture being painted by Interior Health is Tricia Thorpe. Her property just outside the Village of Lytton burned in the fire and she lost a number of animals, including a beloved dog.

Then, in April of this year, her husband, Don Glasgow, suffered a heart attack and she had to drive him to Lillooet for emergency care.

She has been lobbying for better emergency medical care in Lytton, and while she’s glad the job posting is up, she’s not pleased with the wording.

It refers to Lytton as the “Rafting Capital of Canada,” with scenic views of the juncture of the Thompson and Fraser Rivers, a dry climate and affordable housing. Missing in the description is any reference to the fact most of the village will have to be rebuilt because it was destroyed in the June 30, 2021 fire.

It also talked about the new doctor working out of St. Bartholomew’s Health Centre, but that building was also lost in the inferno last year.

Thorpe took her complaints to local and provincial officials, sending emails to physician recruitment at Interior Health, MLA Jackie Tegart and Health Minister Adrian Dix, calling the contents of the job posting an embarrassment.

“Perhaps Interior Health is still unaware that the downtown core of the Village of Lytton ( including St Bartholomew's Health Centre) was burnt to the ground during the June 30, 2021, Lytton Creek Wildfire. This lack of awareness would certainly explain the lack of Basic Health Services currently available to the Lytton Community,” wrote Thorpe.

She said another community member also contacted Interior Health about it and was told the advertisement had been flagged a while ago but the wording couldn’t be changed until a new dedicated website is set up. However, when Thorpe checked the posting Sunday, the reference to St. Bartholomew’s had been removed.

Tricia says just after Don had his heart attack, a health clinic was opened in Lytton with a few doctors who are there in person two weeks out of every four and only for limited hours.

“The only tools they have at their disposal so far are prescription pads and they can send lab requests to Lillooet. That’s it. There’s no emergency supplies, There's no equipment, there’s no lab, we still don’t have an ambulance.

“I mean how hard is it to set that up? And we’re a year in.”

On Friday, B.C.'s Minister of Public Safety Mike Farnworth said the rebuilding of the fire-ravaged village would likely begin in September. Interior Health was not immediately available for comment.