'Staffing crisis' forces reduced hours at B.C. hospitals, cancelled surgeries
Health authorities in B.C. announced their plans to address persistent staff shortages amid the latest wave in the COVID-19 pandemic, with strategies including reduced hours, cancelled surgeries and fewer hospital beds.
Health Minister Adrian Dix said Tuesday each authority is responsible for coming up with its own plan to help "stabilize the health-care system."
"I understand some of these measures may cause concerns and challenges for patients. We are determined to get services up, back and running in full as soon as possible," he said.
INTERIOR HEALTH
Some of the most extensive service changes planned in B.C. are in the Interior Health authority, which serves just over 800,000 people.
"As we manage the Omicron-driven COVID-19 staffing impacts on the health system, Interior Health is proactively identifying services to adjust and relocate in order to maintain safe patient care," said Interior Health president and CEO Susan Brown.
"We will resume normal operations in impacted communities as soon as possible and in the meantime, we are temporarily reassigning and redeploying staff to sustain essential services throughout the region."
Those changes include temporarily closing several inpatient beds in Clearwater, Invermere and Lilloeet to prepare "for short-notice staff absences." Six to eight beds are closed at each of those locations.
Additionally, overnight hours are being reduced at Ashcroft Community Health Centre and the Slocan Community Health Centre. Specific details on those hours can be seen in Interior Health's notice.
The Barriere and District Health Centre is closing until further notice so staff can be redeployed to other nearby communities. Anyone needing emergency care should call 911 or go to the health centre in Clearwater or Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops, which are both about a 45-minute drive away.
All non-urgent surgeries have been rescheduled and hours for some outpatient services have been reduced.
"Current COVID-19 pressures have led to a staffing crisis that requires temporary emergency measures to maintain access to essential services that are relied on regionally," Brown said. "We regret the impacts these service adjustments may cause and will be contacting patients, clients and residents directly to address care needs wherever possible."
NORTHERN HEALTH
B.C.'s smallest health authority, Northern Health, said surgical and ambulatory services are impacted at several locations.
Both Wrinch Memorial Hospital and Bulkley Valley District Hospital are going down from two surgical slates to one, which is expected to impact about 30 surgeries. Bookings for surgeries are also being reduced at Dawson Creek and District Hospital over the next few weeks.
Staffing issues at long-term care facilities means admissions at some locations have been paused. As well, some outpatient services have been reduced.
"Existing staffing challenges in the north are compounded by Omicron-related impacts, and some staff will need to be temporarily reassigned within communities in the region, to ensure essential service levels," said Cathy Ulrich, Northern Health's president and CEO, in a news release.
"The pandemic has placed inordinate pressure on health care workers in Northern Health across all service areas, but we have also seen innovation and creativity in addressing these challenges."
VANCOUVER COASTAL, FRASER HEALTH
B.C.'s two largest health authorities, which encompass the Lower Mainland and beyond, didn't announce changes and specific facilities Tuesday.
However, both Vancouver Coastal and Fraser Health said they've had to reschedule non-urgent elective surgeries. In Vancouver Coastal, 154 appointments were rescheduled over the past month, while Fraser Health rescheduled 128.
Vancouver Coastal also said staffing impacts have seen "a pronounced effect on rural and remote sites" because they typically operate with smaller teams.
With files from CTV News Vancouver's Bhinder Sajan
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Bouchard lifts Edmonton Oilers to 4-3 overtime win over Canucks in Game 2
Evan Bouchard scored 5:38 into overtime and the Edmonton Oilers bounced back for a 4-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs on Friday.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.