The following has been sent to all Island Health staff, medical staff and volunteers on behalf of Kathy MacNeil, President & CEO
In June, Island Health launched the Better Care, Better Value initiative in response to ongoing economic uncertainty and financial pressures across the healthcare system. This organization-wide effort aims to find efficiencies, reduce waste and reinvest in the services that matter most to the people we serve.
- You told us that we need to reduce unnecessary layers of management, consolidate leadership roles and create more equitable workloads. There was a clear desire to eliminate redundancy, reduce costs and make decision-making faster and more effective.
- There was strong support for standardizing tools and technology, simplifying communication across departments and exploring efficiencies in process.
- You emphasized that when staff and medical staff are empowered, supported and engaged, it improves both patient care and workplace culture. Calls for improved leadership training, stronger feedback loops and better front-line engagement were loud and clear.
- Many of you advocated for greater investment in preventative care and early intervention, highlighting how these approaches reduce strain on the system and deliver better long-term health outcomes.
All submissions are being reviewed to identify both short and long-term improvement opportunities. We will continue to provide updates on our progress and how your ideas are being utilized.
As we continue this work, it’s important to acknowledge that some of the changes underway are significant and reflect what we heard from you.
We have been undergoing organizational restructuring to better align our resources with our priorities. This process is never easy, and I want to recognize the weight of this transition on those making these very difficult decisions, on the teams who remain and most importantly, on those whose roles have been impacted.
In recent weeks, 117 team members have left the organization. While Island Health’s community may be more than 30,000 strong, every departure is felt.
These decisions are not made lightly. They are difficult because they affect people we care about – individuals who have contributed meaningfully to our organization. Each decision has been guided by the following principles:
- Improve efficiency by reducing duplication, overlap and team composition
- Stay focused on value and excellence in patient care
- Consolidate where appropriate to support collaboration and alignment
- Uphold safety and quality without compromise
- Minimize disproportionate impacts on equity-deserving groups
- Align with system-wide priorities and commitments
- Position Island Health for long-term performance, sustainability and impact
Throughout this process, we are striving to lead with integrity, care and transparency. We recognize that, for some, it may not always feel that way and we remain committed to listening, learning and continuously improving how we lead through change.
It is important to honour those who have left Island Health. Their contributions have shaped our organization in meaningful and lasting ways. We are deeply grateful to each of them for their service in support of our shared vision. I know that many of you have close friendships with former colleagues and you continue to stay in touch with them. I truly appreciate the care and connection you've provided them during this time.
To those continuing with us, I recognize that this is a challenging time. Shifts in roles, responsibilities and team members can be difficult. Let’s continue to support one another with kindness and compassion as we stay focused on delivering the best possible care to the people and communities we serve.