BCCPA lauds investment to increase staffing levels in seniors care

A significant investment of $240 million will increase staffing levels and strengthen the delivery of seniors care in British Columbia, Premier John Horgan announced Tuesday.

The funds will be allocated over three years to help hire and retain enough staff to provide 3.36 hours of direct care per resident per day in each health authority by 2021.

“Staff in residential care homes work incredibly hard and do a fantastic job,” says Minister of Health Adrian Dix. “But when residential care homes are understaffed, staff are challenged to deliver the level of care seniors deserve. That is why we’re working to provide the staffing needed to make life better for seniors and the people who care for them.”

BC Care Providers Association has long advocated for reaching the 3.36-hours benchmark in residential care. The Association’s 2017 Strengthening Seniors Care report recommended the Ministry of Health invest $230 million annually to ensure a minimum of 3.36 direct care hours per-resident day at each site.

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“BCCPA is thankful to the B.C. Government for reaffirming the investment which will not only improve quality of care, but also seniors’ quality of life,” says BCCPA CEO Daniel Fontaine.

According to the Ministry, the funding will add 1,500 full time-equivalent positions, including 900 care aides, 165 registered nurses, 300 licensed practical nurses, 50 allied health-care professionals, and 100 other health-care workers.

“We’ve identified the target to add 1,500 full time-equivalent positions—now we need to ramp up training and recruitment efforts to attract workers to the sector,” Fontaine says. “BCCPA will continue working across several government ministries including health, as well as with labour unions, training colleges and care providers to address the health human resource crisis we’re facing, and highlight the unique advantages of working in seniors care.”

Last July, BCCPA released its report Situation Critical: A Made-in-BC Plan to Address the Seniors Care Labour Shortage, and provided a multi-faceted 10-point plan to address the health human resources crisis. Discussions with government are ongoing as to next steps to implement a plan of action.