March 29, 2016

CLEARWATER— Jennifer Rice, New Democrat spokesperson for northern and rural health, will visit Clearwater, Ashcroft and Quesnel 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 maternal health,” 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.”

Rice will also visit Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands, Bella Bella, Dawson Creek, Fort Nelson and the Peace Valley on her Maternity Matters tour.

“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 maternal care.”

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 Jennifer will visit Clearwater on March 31, Ashcroft on April 1, and Quesnel on April 2. Interviews can be arranged throughout the tour, and Jennifer will be available to speak with reporters following a round table community meeting with parents in Quesnel:

Media Availability

April 2

12:30 p.m.

Quesnel & District Child Development Centre

300 – 488 McLean Street, Quesnel

Media contact: Caroline Skelton 604-802-8376