Photo: Contributed

Lumby no longer has a walk-in clinic, but there is a larger medical crisis on the horizon with news one of their two doctors is leaving town this summer.

The walk-in was opened in the community 25 minutes from Vernon on an experimental basis, but Mayor Kevin Acton said it was not feasible for the two doctors to keep the clinic running for a variety of reasons so it has been shut down.

“I'm very upset for our citizens, of course, because it's been a successful trial in the sense it was used to its fullest extent,” said Acton. “Through the experiment, the doctors realized the extra challenge it was going to create for them as business practitioners and doctors. The logistics of it was too much for two doctors to carry on.”

Losing the clinic means Lumby residents will have to drive to Vernon to go to a walk in.

Also of concern is losing half of the community's doctors in a region where getting a family doctor can be a difficult task.

Dr. Adam Burnett is leaving in July, leaving Dr. Alex Barrs as the lone physician.

“It's a huge concern,” said Acton.

There have been challenges attracting doctors to smaller communities – Enderby has grappled with doctor issues for years – but Acton said they are already actively trying to recruit a new physician.

“The Lumby Health District Society is already making moves to talk to the recruitment offices to try and find locums and find a way to fill the spot,” said Acton.

Acton hopes the amenities of the area like being 45 minutes from an international airport, 25 minutes from Vernon along with the natural attributes of the like fishing, skiing, hiking and other activities will attract a new doctor to the area.

“This is a lifestyle most people would be jealous of,” he said.