Whereas access to emergency medical care is essential for the health and safety of all British Columbians; And whereas ongoing staffing shortages are causing frequent emergency room closures across British Columbia, undermining public confidence in the healthcare system, and prompting Premier Eby, in his mandate letter to the Honourable Josie Osborne, Minister of Health, to acknowledge the need stating that the Minister take necessary steps to address temporary emergency room closures: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM call on the Government of British Columbia to provide health authorities with the necessary resources and support to recruit and retain emergency room physicians and healthcare professionals, ensuring all emergency departments remain open and fully staffed to deliver uninterrupted, 247 care across the province.
Ministry of Health Thank you for your resolution regarding the need to support health authorities in recruiting and retaining emergency room physicians and other health care professionals to ensure that emergency departments remain open and accessible for British Columbians. The Province recognizes that temporary emergency department closures are very challenging for communities which is why stabilization of emergency services is a key priority. The Ministry of Health is working closely with health authorities and other partners to address both immediate and longer-term staffing pressures in emergency departments. This includes efforts through Emergency Care BC to coordinate system improvements, provide clinical guidance and support best practices across emergency departments. In addition, GoHealth BC, the Provinces health care provider travel resource pool, is playing a key role in stabilizing nursing and allied health staffing, particularly in rural communities experiencing persistent shortages. Further, the Ministry of Health is working with Health Authorities to develop targeted regional strategies to stabilize emergency and acute care services. This work includes analysis of staffing patterns, service models, and community needs to inform ongoing system redesign. Longer-term solutions are being advanced through BCs Health Human Resources Strategy, which focuses on recruiting, training, retaining, and redesigning the health care workforce to meet the evolving needs of the population. Key actions include increased training capacity for nurses, physicians, and allied health providers; expanded pathways for internationally educated health professionals; targeted recruitment efforts in Canada and internationally; and new roles and care models designed to relieve pressure on emergency departments. Streamlined licensing pathways and enhanced collaboration with health authorities, Health Match BC, and regulatory colleges continue to support faster integration of qualified professionals into the workforce. Local governments are valued and essential partners in health-care professional recruitment and retention because they shape the local conditions that determine how workers and their families live, work, and stay in a community. Under the Local Government Act and the Community Charter, municipalities and regional districts are responsible for land-use planning, housing, transportation, infrastructure, and community services all of which are key factors that directly influence workforce attraction and long-term retention and complement provincial responsibility for health-care delivery. We encourage local governments to review the Community Healthcare Support Playbook and Toolkit developed in 2024 by the Saunders Family Foundation with support from the Ministry of Health. The Ministry of Health remains committed to working with health authorities, clinicians, health system partners, and local governments to mitigate Emergency Department diversion risks, stabilize staffing, and ensure that British Columbians continue to have access to timely, high-quality emergency care when and where they need it. Community Healthcare Support Playbook and Toolkit URL: https:www.ecdevtoolbox.capostcommunity-healthcare-support-playbook-and-…