Dr Mieske Practice Closure - Letter to Patients
22-Nov-2022
Dear Patient:
It is with a very heavy heart that I write to inform you that I am closing my family practice effective immediately. As you may know, I am currently on an unexpected medical leave and am undergoing cancer treatment. Up to this point, my colleagues at Kootenay Medical Centre and several other community physicians have been working hard to cover my practice. However, given the large size of my practice, the current local and province wide crisis in primary care, and lack of locums, this arrangement is not sustainable. Please know that this decision was a last resort after all other avenues were explored.
I know this letter will bring a lot of fear, sadness and frustration to many of you. The state of primary care in our province is entirely unacceptable and years of government neglect has left us all in this difficult position. Please do not take out your frustrations on clinic staff or physicians. They have worked incredibly hard to support my patients and I during this challenging time and continue to serve our community. Instead, I encourage you to voice your concerns and frustration to our elected officials. Please refer to the website www.bchealthcarematters.com for excellent information on the primary care crisis and further suggestions on how to get involved with advocating for this important cause.
For out-of-town patients, there are community health centres available to care for you in Kaslo, Salmo, New Denver and Crawford Bay. Within Nelson, there are walk in clinics at Ancron Medical Clinic as well as Kootenay Lake Medical Clinic. Additional virtual options are available (e.g., Telus Health, Maple etc).
Additionally, a waitlist for new Family Physicians is available by registering with the centralized Health Connect Registry, which can be accessed at www.kbhcr.ca .
If you manage to obtain care from another provider, your medical records can be transferred to a new clinic for a nominal administration fee. Medical Records in my care will be held for a minimum of 16 years, or as required by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC. If transfer of your records is required, providers/clinics can fax us their request.
It has truly been a pleasure and privilege to get to know you and serve as your Family Doctor. I am incredibly humbled and grateful for the outpouring of love and support I have had from my patients and community since my diagnosis. Thank you so very much. Please know that I have every intention to return to practice when I am through treatment, but it is not yet clear when that will be. In the meantime, I sincerely wish you and your family good health and happiness.
Dr. Kelly Mieske