B.C. Takes Action To Stabilize Northern Vancouver Island Health-Care Services

The province is spending $30,000,000 to help stabilize and improve access to health-care services, including emergency care, in Port Hardy and the Mount Waddington region.

“We are committed to improving access to health care with significant investments across northern Vancouver Island,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health.

“Staffing shortages and challenges on the North Island have created uncertainty. The new efforts launching today will bring certainty for emergency-care services for people living in the communities of Port Hardy, on Cormorant Island, in Port McNeill and in the surrounding region.”

Island Health is temporarily suspending overnight emergency department services in Port Hardy and on Cormorant Island, directing resources to other time periods. CEO and president Kathy MacNeil says they’ll work to “immediately accelerate efforts to expand services and strengthen staffing throughout the region."

Emergency department services will be available from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. in Port Hardy, from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Cormorant Island, and 24 hours a day, seven days a week in Port McNeill.

Part of the funds will be used to enhance staff recruitment and retention incentives with travel-wage increases, upgrade accommodations for travelling staff, and for more protection-service officers to improve safety and site support.

Island Health will also begin daily shuttle services between Port Hardy and Port McNeill hospitals, as well as daily shuttles to Campbell River and the Comox Valley for patients and staff.

North Island MLA Michelle Babchuk says the new funding “will not only address our immediate challenges, but also go further and will pave the way to modernizing and improving health care for North Island residents for years to come."