As line-ups at Okanagan medical labs develop, so too do frustrations amongst these attempting to get a blood check.
“It’s ridiculous,” mentioned Kelowna resident Jerry Lakey.
The road-up was out the door Thursday morning on the Glenmore location, with many lining up lengthy earlier than the labs proper throughout the Okanagan even opened.
“I’ve been attempting for every week to get in and never wait an hour or two to get my blood examined,” Lakey mentioned.
The complaints are additionally being broadly shared on social media.
One latest Fb submit in a public group known as Kelowna Rant and Rave garnered greater than 500 feedback.
A few of these feedback embrace posts akin to, “3–4 hour wait occasions for lab work are unacceptable”, “It’s fairly horrible that that is simply the norm as of late and we’re anticipated to simply accept it,” and “It’s ridiculous it took me three days to get my labs accomplished with all of the line-ups.”
“We have now to have the testing accomplished, however we now have no selections actually, ” mentioned Kelowna resident Mary-Ann Danilowich exterior the Glenmore lab. “Some individuals say drive to Peachland, however you understand that’s a little bit of an excessive factor to must do.”
An choice that’s not at all times dependable, a minimum of not just lately.
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The Peachland facility is among the many labs experiencing intermittent closures currently.
Whereas residents can guide appointments on-line, that too could be difficult.
*Making appointments is almost not possible now,” mentioned Kelowna resident Lexy Parks, who will get her blood examined usually. “The choice opens at midnight they usually guide three weeks upfront. It’s like shopping for live performance tickets.”
A Dynacare telephone agent confirmed that on-line bookings open up at midnight for an appointment usually three weeks later, however it might require a name in the course of the evening to ensure a spot as a result of they usually get booked up in a matter of hours.
Many Okanagan residents say lab companies have deteriorated below the possession of DynaCare.
The U.S.-owned however Canadian-incorporated firm acquired greater than a dozen labs throughout the Okanagan beginning in 2023.
In an electronic mail to International Information, a Dynacare spokesperson mentioned, “We acknowledge the considerations which were raised relating to latest service challenges, and we take this suggestions very significantly and wish to apologize to residents of the group for the frustrations they’ve skilled just lately.”
Company communications supervisor Laurie Wilhelm mentioned expert staffing shortages throughout the well being care sector are largely contributing to the challenges, however added that the corporate is working to resolve the problems.
“We’re engaged on a targeted plan to enhance service supply to make significant, lasting enhancements, together with wanting into the allocation of extra workers sources, so sufferers obtain the high-quality care they deserve,” Wilhelm mentioned.
International Information additionally reached out to B.C.’s Ministry of Well being, which, in an electronic mail, mentioned it’s conscious of the lab service challenges.
“This isn’t an remoted incident to 1 supplier. Staffing pressures affecting lab companies are being felt throughout private and non-private suppliers nationally and provincially,” the e-mail said.
Dynacare supplies publicly funded outpatient laboratory companies below the Medical Companies Plan (MSP).
The ministry mentioned it’s presently exploring choices to enhance companies, together with efficiency oversight.
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