This message is being sent to all medical staff on behalf of Dr. Ben Williams, Vice President Medicine, Quality, Research and Chief Medical Officer
Dear colleagues,
Thank you for your dedication to providing outstanding patient care throughout 2024.
Reflecting on the last year, medical staff have made significant strides to enhance both patient care and improve the experience of providing care. We know that yesterday’s solutions don’t always solve today’s challenges, and, together, we have implemented changes to reflect the evolving needs of patients and our workforce.
Together, we have improved both patient care and workforce support through various efforts, including:
- Expanding the care team. Medical staff groups, staff, and Island Health welcomed nine Associate Physicians (AP) into our care teams in 2024. These new team members are working in Nanaimo, Parksville, and Victoria, with more planned for 2025 including in Comox, Cowichan, and Port Alberni. This year, through partnership and with your advocacy, we launched BC’s first Physician Assistant (PA) program, and we will be welcoming our first two PAs into the Emergency Department at Saanich Peninsula Hospital in January. We have also expanded opportunities for senior residents to work as Clinical Associates.
- Welcoming new members of medical staff through another record year in recruitment. Together, we have successfully filled 243 positions this year. We are pleased to welcome new medical staff across the Island Health region in many divisions and departments. While our physician recruitment team provides critical support, we know that medical staff are the best recruiters for their areas of care: thank you for expanding our medical staff team at Island Health.
- Rallying together to support our at-risk sites and services to ensure that patients are able to access the care they need. With your help, Island Health has avoided unplanned emergency department closures in rural emergency departments throughout our region.
- Improving quality by adopting Computerized Provider Order Entry (CPOE) at VGH, RJH, Gorge Road Hospital, South Island Surgical Centre and the NRGH ICU. Next year, we’ll further expand our use of advanced Electronic Health Record (EHR) capabilities at additional sites while we continue to work together to refine the EHR, improving the experience for staff and medical staff, as well as the care we provide.
- Partnering together to prioritize and address your feedback from the Doctors of BC survey results. With your input and leadership, we will improve medical staff engagement by redesigning the medical leadership structure and implementing the recommendations of the Medical Staff Respectful Workplace Working Group, amongst other priority initiatives.
The challenges we face in healthcare are significant and in 2025, we will need to continue to adapt and innovate to fulfill the needs of the population we serve. Everyday, you provide great care to your patients, and by working together, we can make the changes needed to improve the system of health and care we offer to residents of the Island Health region.
The healthcare system doesn’t take breaks, and I know that many of you will be working as hard as ever over the holiday season. I hope that each of you has an opportunity to unwind, spend time with loved ones and recharge for 2025. Happy holidays and wishing you and your families the best for the year ahead.
Yours sincerely,
Ben T. Williams, MD, CCFP
Vice President Medicine, Quality, Research and Chief Medical Officer