For Immediate Release

May 26, 2016

VICTORIA— Jennifer Rice, New Democrat spokesperson for northern and rural health, will visit rural areas of Vancouver Island and Salt Spring Island next week to hear from parents, advocates and service providers about access to maternity care.

“One of the biggest issues I hear about when talking about rural health is timely access to care during pregnancy,” said Rice, the MLA for North Coast.

“Expectant mothers in rural B.C. often find themselves having to travel long distances to see doctors, midwives or obstetricians, or for ultrasounds or other basic services that women in larger centres take for granted. If their pregnancy is high risk, those appointments are even more frequent, and the stress and travel time is even greater.”

In recent months, Rice’s province-wide Maternity Matters tour has reached Haida Gwaii, Bella Coola, Bella Bella, Quesnel, Ashcroft, Clearwater, Terrace and Dawson Creek. Next week she will reach out to communities on Vancouver Island and Salt Spring Island and plans on visiting communities in the Southern Interior in the months to come.

“The purpose of the tour is to hear from parents, advocates and service providers and talk about practical solutions, so that women in northern and rural communities have fair access to basic maternity care.”

Here are the dates and locations of Jennifer Rice’s upcoming tour stops:

Monday, May 30 – Salt Spring Island

Wednesday, June 1 – Campbell River

Thursday, June 2 – Ucluelet

Friday, June 3 – Tofino

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 Media contact: Marielle Tounsi – (250) 818-5172