People in the Cariboo Chilcotin region now have greater access to surgical care closer to home.

This increased access is thanks to partnerships between Interior Health and visiting and local surgeons who are working together to expand services at Cariboo Memorial Hospital (CMH).

“As part of our commitment to surgical renewal and work to meet the demand for new surgeries, Interior Health is expanding five areas of surgical service to provide day surgeries in Williams Lake,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health. “This will bring these procedures closer to Cariboo Memorial Hospital patients’ home communities so fewer people will have to travel for the services they need.”

The expansion will improve timely access to surgical services in the area and supports the provincial government’s surgical renewal strategy.

“We would like to thank this team of physicians and staff for their support in helping enhance surgical services at the Cariboo Memorial Hospital,” said Susan Brown, president and chief executive officer, Interior Health. “This supports Interior Health’s progress toward surgical renewal, which will impact people’s lives for years to come.”

Service expansion includes procedures for pediatric dentistry; ear, nose and throat; ophthalmology; orthopedics and urology.

Services that began in late 2020 are:

• pediatric dental surgery provided by local dentists Dr. Nadeem Ahmad and Dr. Simmy Dhillon;
• cataract surgery provided by Dr. Michael Ross, who operates a clinic in Kamloops and provides community clinics in Williams Lake during his monthly visits; and
• ear, nose and throat surgical services provided by Dr. John Cleland from Kamloops, who will also provide community clinics in Williams Lake.

“We are thrilled with these new additions to the surgical services offered at CMH,” said Dr. Paul Magnuson, chief of staff, CMH. “This truly puts the patient and the community first – a heartfelt thanks to our visiting surgeons and their willingness to support our site, and thank you to everyone for their tireless work on this important change.”

Services expanded in early 2021 are:

• orthopedic surgery, provided by Dr. Tyler MacGregor, an orthopedic surgeon who practices out of Kamloops and already provides community clinics at CMH, and
• urology surgery, provided by Dr. Ellen Forbes, who will provide surgical services and community clinics.

The Ministry of Health has provided $2.4 million for the surgical equipment to support these procedures.