WHEREAS Health Authorities are redesigning and realigning acute and emergency services and are downgrading hospitals without prior meaningful community consultation; AND WHEREAS the transfer of specialized services has resulted in decreased access for some communities through the inability of BC Bedline to find appropriate care at an alternate facility, longer wait times at regional hospitals and additional transfer time from one community to another: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Union of BC Municipalities urge the provincial government to require Health Authorities to develop a strategy for reporting out to communities, including plans for proposed changes to emergency and acute services and regular progress updates at the local level.
MINISTRY OF HEALTH SERVICES The Ministry of Health Services encourages municipal leaders to maintain contact with their health authority to discuss the direction of health care reform in their communities. British Columbias health care system is facing significant challenges to remain sustainable and manageable as our population ages and new technologies become available. Consolidating services and exploring cost-saving measures enables health authorities to redirect savings to direct patient care. As health authorities make reforms to ensure quality patient care is available within a sustainable, affordable health care system, they are endeavoring to ensure their planning and services are transparent and accountable through such activities as posting their health service redesign plans on their websites. Health authorities also keep municipal leaders informed about health planning activities through meetings with mayorscouncil, community advisory committees or forums, open board meetings and stakeholder newsletters.