Governance

In summer 2023, a provincial executive steering committee comprised of members of the Ministry, BCNU, NBA, HEABC and health authority leaders convened to oversee this new staffing initiative.

Five (5) Working groups – planning; implementation; monitoring, reporting and evaluation; retention and recruitment; and communications – with shared representation from the Ministry of Health, NBA, HEABC, and the health authorities which are supported through a centralized project office in the Ministry.

Once recommendations are made by the executive steering committee to the Ministry, the Ministry communicates (with BCNU’s executive endorsement) through policy and implementation guidance.

Memorandums of Understanding

In April 2023, the NBA and the Ministry of Health signed an agreement (PDF, 325.7KB) to enhance nursing support across the province by implementing minimum nurse-to-patient ratios in hospitals, long-term care and assisted living facilities, as well as community and non-hospital care settings.

A provincial investment of $169.5 million in one-time funding has been committed to address the unique staffing challenges faced in rural communities and staff difficult-to-fill vacancies in urban and metro communities.

Read the memorandum of understanding (PDF, 290.6KB) between the NBA, Ministry of Health and provincial health employers on recruitment and retention incentives for more details on the initiatives available.