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By Oak Bay-Gordon Head MLA Murray Rankin

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SOUND OFF: Seeing progress in strengthening our healthcare system

Dec 13, 2023 | 10:30 AM

HEALTH CARE IS ON PEOPLE’S MINDS across the province. That’s why our provincial government is working to strengthen our healthcare system across British Columbia.

Our vision is a healthcare system that puts people first, where care and services are accessible to everybody in B.C., when and where they need them. Since 2017, we’ve invested over $1 billion to support healthcare workers and increase access to health services for British Columbians.

One key aspect of this work is strengthening our healthcare workforce. That’s why we are working to train, recruit and retain more healthcare professionals.

So far in 2023, 3,882 family physicians have registered for the new longitudinal payment model, which aims to help recruit and retain more family doctors.

Also this year, 6,258 new nurses have registered with the B.C. College of Nurses and Midwives, including 578 internationally educated nurses who have chosen to practice here in B.C.

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More than 1,000 new permanent full-time paramedic and emergency responder positions have been added in communities right around the province. Additionally, more than 7,000 people have been hired within the Health Career Access Program. This program helps people gain non-clinical experience, in fields such as long-term care, assisted living, home health or acute care, while they are training to become healthcare assistants.

We have also added 3,324 new training seats for nurses, allied health professionals, and healthcare assistants.

Pharmacists in B.C. are now treating minor ailments and providing contraception services: nearly 132,000 people have seen a pharmacist for these purposes so far in 2023 – helping to ease pressure on doctors and emergency rooms. More than 188,000 people also received free contraceptives since we introduced coverage on April 1.

But we know there is a lot more work to do.

In the next year, we will be doing even more to help retain, redesign, recruit and train within the healthcare system to support patients and workers. This includes more front-line clinic management support, a new recruitment campaign, more peer support and mentoring for those in healthcare careers, and much more.

We are working towards a stronger British Columbia for everyone.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or Pattison Media.