‘If I can go, I go’: Nelson ER doctor saves lives in his spare time
Sparrow was working in Gibsons, B.C., when on March 31, 2009 he heard first responders outside. Doctors don’t typically attend emergency scenes — those are left to paramedics, police and firefighters. But Sparrow has training unique among Canadian physicians.
For volunteerism that has likely saved hundreds of lives in the West Kootenay, the Nelson Star has named Sparrow its 2022 Citizen of the Year. The award has been handed out annually since 1964 to people who go above and beyond for our community. Field-trained physicians are rare in Canada but common in the United Kingdom. Since 1977, the British Association of Immediate Care has provided doctors with the tools they need to provide pre-hospital care. After witnessing the accident, Sparrow signed up.
After the family moved to Nelson, Sparrow resumed responding to calls but began to run into barriers. He was funding all the equipment himself, and because his car didn’t have lights or sirens he found himself getting stuck in traffic on the way to emergencies. He needed help. KERPA is also no longer just Sparrow. It has a board of directors and includes clinical support from Jason Lynn, a former chief flight nurse with an air ambulance company, and Chris Hillary, who teaches at Selkirk College’s School of Nursing.
When he isn’t working at Kootenay Lake Hospital, Dr. Nicholas Sparrow is on call to assist first responders at trauma scenes in the area that includes Nelson, Salmo, Nakusp, Kaslo, Winlaw, Castlegar and Trail. Photo: Tyler Harper
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