Call to address health human resources crisis submitted as BCCPA budget proposal
Victoria, B.C. (February 18, 2020) – The announcement of a new BC Access Grant to support post-secondary training is positive news for a seniors care sector facing critical staff shortages, says the province’s leading organization representing seniors care, BC Care Providers Association (BCCPA). It means that people who might otherwise not consider a career in seniors care due to the cost, will have a new opportunity to explore this rewarding career path.
“In our budget submission, we flagged the need to address staff shortages as a top priority,” says BCCPA CEO Daniel Fontaine. “We see the new BC Access Grant as a way for great candidates to overcome barriers and begin a career in the growing field of seniors care.”
Last summer, the sector took an extraordinary step by declaring a “health human resources emergency” due to critical staff shortages in care homes in multiple B.C. communities. Current staff shortages are having wide-ranging consequences, leading to staff burnout and driving up overtime costs in care homes across the province.
“The province’s own Labour Market Outlook already projects that occupations in seniors care are the highest job growth category for the coming decade,” Fontaine points out. “We can only meet that demand by continuing these close partnerships between the B.C. government and seniors care providers.”
BCCPA has worked closely with its sector partners in government to address the health human resources crisis. This includes supporting the new Choose 2 Care initiative from Health Match BC, and advocating for regulatory changes to the BC Care Aide Registry to permit an expedited pathway for Canadian health care aides from other provinces to work in B.C.
BCCPA was also proud to join Minister of Health Adrian Dix in a joint announcement in recognition of the Seniors Safety Quality Improvement Program (SSQIP) infrastructure fund. “SSQIP” funding for safety equipment has been shown to reduce injury claims in care homes.
In its budget submission to the Select Standing Committee on Government Services and Finance, BCCPA also requested new funding to grow the number of available beds in long-term care in response to our aging demographic. BCCPA is committed to working with its partners in government to find the necessary resources and investments to meet this growing demand for seniors care across the province.
“It is estimated that 13 per cent of seniors in acute care hospitals would receive better and more affordable care in the community,” adds Fontaine. “BCCPA has set a goal to drive down this percentage by expanding the availability of long-term care and assisted living services, as well as home support.
“Going into 2020 and beyond, we will redouble our efforts to ensure that B.C. seniors and their families get the care they deserve,” says Fontaine.
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MEDIA CONTACT
Rumana D’Souza
Digital Media and Communications Specialist
(778) 681-4859
rumana@bccare.ca
About BC Care Providers Association
Established in 1977, BC Care Providers Association (BCCPA) is the leading voice for B.C.’s continuing care sector. Our growing membership base includes over 350 long-term care, assisted living, home care, home support, independent living, and commercial members from across British Columbia.
