B.C. to continue revamping healthcare system as population grows

It’s been one year since B.C.’s plan to hire more medical professionals and revamp the healthcare system to handle two public health crises.

Health Minister Adrian Dix said during a health-care strategy announcement Tuesday that the province’s work is paying off but B.C.’s population growth, which has increased by 250,000 in the last two years, remains a challenge.

“This is a major effort of recruitment but also support for workers because we have to meet the test and that test is twofold — one of a growing population and one of an aging population,” he said

“If you think of a family practice having 1,250 people attached to it, that’s 200 family doctors just for the new people coming to the province, just to keep standing where we were which most people think wasn’t good enough.”

As he explains, the province needs to keep up with the burnout and shortages coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic and the toxic drug supply crises.

“The pandemic and the public health emergency that is the overdose crisis, both of those things have changed and increased demand and healthcare. So, all of the things you’re talking about means we have to do more and more,” he said.

Dix said they are making progress in 2023 with 1,665 employed student nurses, up from 1,225 hires in 2022. And hiring 578 internationally educated nurses in 2023 which is up from 288 hires in 2022.

He also adds that it is not enough to recruit someone if they only stay two or three years, you want to “keep them for longer periods.”

The plan also includes financial support available to cover eligible costs associated with nurses wanting to re-enter the workforce. And more seats are being added to medical schools across the province to keep up with the demand.

He says that although the federal government has made improvements, there is still a lot more to be done. He notes that federal immigration challenges remain a prominent reason why some healthcare professionals don’t come to Canada.

The focus for next year will include expanding travel nurses, having a peer and mentor support program for nurses, and building opportunities for high school students interested in health-related careers.

“It’s a significant challenge … that’s really working an economy that has been number one in the country in the post-pandemic period,” Dix said.

“It’s a challenge we have to meet but we simply have to meet it.”