Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: July 04, 2009 12:00 PM
Vernon-Monashee MLA Eric Foster has been told to take concerns about macular degeneration to Victoria. Foster has been presented with an 1,800-name petition from residents who are upset the Ministry of Health will only permit retinal specialists to treat the wet form of the eye disease. “I will talk to the minister and find out why they did what they did, and if there will be any changes,” said Foster who was just elected MLA on May 12. “I have no idea on why this decision was made.” On June 1, the ministry began covering the cost of Lucentis or Avastin injections into affected eyes. Previously, patients paid the bill themselves. But as part of the fee structure change, the ministry is mandating that only retinal specialists can provide the procedure, not the two ophthalmologists who have been involved in Vernon. “These people are qualified and have been doing it for years,” said local patient Irene Dorin of the ophthalmologists. There are 18 retinal specialists in B.C., including only one in the Interior — Kamloops. The treatments only last for a month to six weeks so regular visits to the doctor aren’t uncommon. Resident Bev McEachran fears that not having a physician locally will put her eyesight in jeopardy. “We can go blind within a week,” she said. There is also a concern that the retinal specialists in the Lower Mainland and Kamloops will face large waitlists and no one will be available if the doctors are on holidays or ill. “Think also of the fare to the airport and staying overnight,” said Dorin of travel-related costs. The petition was launched after the ministry announced its policy change in April. “We could have got 5,000 names if we had stayed out on the street,” said Bonnie Turley, who receives treatments. “Four of us got these names just like that.”While the petition is now being sent off to the ministry, McEachran, Turley and Dorin vow not back off their fight.“I’m not going to shut up,” said Dorin.
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July 4 Morning Star EDITORIAL: MLA must get more involved
Granted Vernon-Monashee MLA Eric Foster has only been in office for a couple of weeks, but he hasn’t shown a strong flare for representing his constituents’ interests yet. When presented with an 1,800-name petition over macular degeneration treatments, Foster gave the safe response. “I will talk to the minister,” he said. And obviously talking to the minister is important, but Foster must have some gut feeling about a policy that will force local residents with the wet form of the disease to travel for treatments. He will soon be at that age himself where macular degeneration starts to surface. Without knowing all of the bureaucratic details, it’s not hard to tell that patients will suffer because they can’t count on a local ophthalmologist anymore. They will have to join the already long list of patients seeing the 18 retinal specialists in B.C., including the closest in Kamloops.
It will mean extra costs for fuel, motels and restaurants and if they don’t drive any longer, the patients will have to rely on a relative or take the bus. It should also be pointed out that sight can deteriorate quickly with macular degeneration so a senior may not have enough time to wait for their appointment in Kamloops or Vancouver a month or two months away. Trying to determine why the Ministry of Health changed the rules is certainly important if any hope of changes are to be made, but where is the compassion for those who have been impacted.Foster promised he would represent his constituents when he was campaigning, and now that he has the job, it’s time for some action.
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