On behalf of: Internal Communications
Like many of you, I am following the heartbreaking events which unfolded yesterday in Tumbler Ridge.
As a parent and grandparent my first thoughts are with the youth and their families, and the teachers and broader community at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School. The loss of lives at the school and in the community are truly devastating. Those who survived have had their lives changed forever. Everyone is hurting. Healing will be a life-long journey for all who have been so tragically impacted.
As health-care professionals our minds also turn to colleagues at the BC Emergency Health Services Commission, Northern Health and other agencies involved. Health-care teams deal with trauma daily, and train for mass casualty situations like what occurred. We know this training supports teams working through the immediate actions they need to take to provide care to patients, but the trauma to the health-care teams remains long after the incident ends.
Healthcare and child and youth communities are wrapping their arms around Tumbler Ridge. Island Health, along with all health authorities, is participating in a provincial emergency operations centre to determine the clinical and counselling supports we can provide – both to help the immediate needs of the community and to sustain them as they navigate the long healing journey ahead.
While this tragedy did not occur within our region, we know tragedies like this resonate across the health-care community.
Across British Columbia, we are one community. When something devastating happens anywhere in our province, it affects us all - professionally and personally. It may bring up strong emotions, memories of past experiences, or simply a deep sense of sadness.
If you are feeling impacted, please know that support is available. Staff and medical staff can access confidential counselling and support services through the Employee and Family Assistance Program. In addition, physicians have confidential supports including the Physician Health Program. Leaders are also encouraged to check in with their teams and create space for conversation where needed
In challenging times, our strength lies in caring not only for our patients, but for one another. Please take a moment to check in with yourself and with your colleagues. No one needs to carry difficult experiences alone.