Island Health lays off VP, executives due to ‘financial pressures’

The Vancouver Island Health Authority has laid off an undisclosed number of leadership positions, including one vice-president and a number of executives, due to what it says are “financial pressures.”

In a statement, Island Health says that while it has received significant funding increases over the past five years, it has “more work to do to achieve the level of performance” it aspires to.

“With financial pressures increasing across the province, we must maximize our annual funding by reducing unnecessary costs and redirecting resources to meet patient needs,” Island Health stated.

The health authority has, in turn, launched a new initiative — Better Care, Better Value — which it believes will ensure that Island Health is focused on the “services, outcomes, and experience that matter most to patients.”

“In support of this work, Island Health’s organizational structure was adjusted last month to reduce the number of VP positions by one (with the permanent combination of the People and Communications portfolios under one vice president) and a number of executive director positions were consolidated and realigned resulting in several layoffs of non-contract leaders,” Island Health said.

“These changes are being made to ensure we are maximizing value and better meeting the needs of those we care for, and those who provide care.”

Island Health says that many positions within its IHealth project, the department dedicated to electronic health records for patients, were also cut.

The most recent IHealth project phase is complete, and positions created specifically for that phase will not be extended, the health authority states.

“We want to recognize the excellent work and commitment of the IHealth project team for the successful implementation of this important clinical resource,” Island Health said.

“We know that members of the project team have made significant contributions to patients, staff, and medical staff during their time with us. We honour these people for the commitments and sacrifices they have made during their time with us and wish them many successes wherever their journeys take them next.”