Columbia River Revelstoke MLA Norm Macdonald is letting Health Minister Kevin Falcon know what he thinks about the Kimberley Hospice Society disbanding.

In a letter to the Minister and copied to the City of Kimberley, Macdonald urges the Minister to take a look at the palliative care situation in Kimberley, and remember promises made to its citizens.

“The Kimberley Hospice Society relied on BC Gaming funds and that money is no longer available,” Macdonald wrote. “This fact, and the dispersal of donated palliative care items throughout the health system, was considered the last straw.

“I am very disappointed that the Kimberley Hospice Society feels it has no option but to disband. Instead of supporting these dedicated volunteers, this government has chosen to cut funding and change the designation of the palliative care unit to respite and convalescent care.”

Macdonald reminds the Minister that Kimberley residents were promised access to palliative care when the hospital was closed.

“It is unacceptable to me that loss of government funding and the imposition of Interior Health policy on palliative beds should result in the breaking of that promise to the community of Kimberley.”