A $30 million provincial government investment aimed at stabilizing healthcare services in North Vancouver Island (NVI) has resulted in more robust and cohesive staffing models and strengthened community supports.
The provincial funding has supported new physician and staff recruitment, mental health and substance use enhancements, patient transportation amenities and capital projects, including installation of a mobile CT scanner located at Port Hardy Hospital. These initiatives are helping to stabilize services and prevent temporary closures of local emergency departments.
“Everyone in British Columbia should have access to quality health care, no matter where they live,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health. “We know that rural and remote areas have faced challenges with a shortage of health-care workers and access to specialized care, which is why this work is so important. It is amazing to see all that has been accomplished as people and communities come together to build out health-care resources in the North Island and I want to thank everyone involved for their hard work and dedication.”
“I’d like to recognize the hard work of our Island Health teams to develop and implement tangible solutions aimed at increasing reliable access to emergency departments at Port Hardy Hospital and Cormorant Island Community Health Centre,” said Kathy MacNeil, Island Health President and CEO.
“Collaboration has played a key role in this work, and we are also grateful to North Vancouver Island communities, First Nations communities, and First Nations Health Authority for their continued commitment and support as we all work toward a common goal of ensuring NVI residents receive the health care they need, when they need it.”
While we are seeing success in attracting medical and nursing staff, we continue to face challenges in recruiting the x-ray and lab technologists required to safely re-open the two emergency departments. Despite these challenges, recruitment of healthcare professionals to North Vancouver Island remains a key priority.
NVI community leaders have worked closely with local Island Health leaders on healthcare stabilization efforts that include recruitment of frontline staff and ensuring 24/7 emergency department and acute services continue to operate within the region.
“We acknowledge the provincial and national shortage of healthcare workers, including emergency department nurses and lab and diagnostic professionals, and have been working in partnership with Island Health to address these challenges,” said Port Hardy Mayor Pat Corbett-Labatt and Alert Bay Mayor Dennis Buchanan.
“The 'Namgis First Nation is in regular contact with Island Health regarding areas of needed improvements and notes the progress being made to address challenges facing our region,” said Kelly Speck, Chair, 'Namgis Health Board.
This includes community-based solutions such as the Rural Emergency Department Education Program (REDEP). REDEP, delivered in collaboration with Interior Health and recognized and accredited by the Canadian Nursing Association, which has supported five registered nurses in completing specialized training. These nurses are now working in emergency departments at Port Hardy Hospital, Port McNeill Hospital and Cormorant Island Community Health Centre.
Casey Carriere, a recent REDEP graduate who relocated to NVI from Nanaimo after working in Port Hardy as a travel nurse, has joined the emergency department teams at Port Hardy Hospital and Port McNeill Hospital.
“I’m extremely honoured to have the opportunity through REDEP to support emergency care in the NVI region,” said Carriere. “It is so rewarding to know that through our efforts, we are strengthening local healthcare and increasing access for all those we serve within their local communities.”
Staff retention requires a whole-system approach—one that includes lifestyle supports, appropriate housing, modern infrastructure, healthy and welcoming team environments, cultural safety, social supports, and strong community connections. Since January 2023, Island Health has welcomed 110 net new employees across North Vancouver Island. Recruitment marketing initiatives highlighting the region’s lifestyle and opportunities, enhanced onboarding supports for new hires, and the implementation of the Provincial Rural and Remote Recruitment and Retention incentives—benefiting 376 eligible individuals—are among the efforts helping to attract and retain skilled healthcare professionals in the area.
North Vancouver Island physician recruitment and retention efforts are also ongoing with three physicians joining healthcare teams in Port McNeill and four new physicians providing care in Port Hardy since January 2023. Many rural communities rely on return of service physicians who typically spend two or three years in a community. Two of these return-of-service physicians in NVI have chosen to stay beyond their return-of-service commitment, reflecting the strong sense of connection and quality of life that rural communities offer.
Another return-of-service physician, Dr. Ramiz S. Alhadi, is originally from a large city in Iraq. Dr. Alhadi joined the Port Hardy Primary Health Care Centre team in 2024 through the provincial Practice Ready Assessment program, designed specifically for physicians with independent practice experience, ensuring a seamless transition into the Canadian health care system. Dr. Alhadi is also contributing his expertise at the Port Hardy Hospital emergency department and assuming responsibility of Most Responsible Physician (MRP) for hospital inpatients, further enhancing local health care services.
“It’s been a great experience joining the Island Health team and helping to strengthen healthcare services in this area,” said Dr. Alhadi. “I’ve really appreciated the welcoming environment and the opportunity to be part of such a dedicated group of professionals.”
Another solution aimed at supporting area residents was implementation of a dedicated transportation service for North Vancouver Island residents. Since the daily shuttle service was launched in 2023, nearly 4000 trips have been carried out on four routes linking patients and staff to health care sites in Port Hardy, Port Alice, Port McNeill, Campbell River and Comox.
As well, the mobile CT scanner provides area residents with access to care locally rather than having to travel for CT scans. Nearly 800 scans have been completed since the scanner became operational in December 2023. By bringing this advanced diagnostic service closer to home, the mobile CT scanner is helping provide more seamless, wrap-around care for residents in the region.
Further, action was taken to expand sobering, assessment and sheltering services offered by the Salvation Army, an Island Health contracted services provider. The Salvation Army operates a sheltering, sobering and assessment program in Port Hardy with support from Island Health’s mental health and substance use team, BC Housing, the District of Port Hardy and the Mt. Waddington Regional District. Thanks to the provincial investment, six new sobering spaces were added, bringing the total number of beds to 12, and services expanded to be available 24 hours per day, seven days per week.
In addition, a team of addictions medicine specialists travel to North Vancouver Island to support local residents who require addiction medicine services.
Other service enhancements or stabilization of existing services that have flowed from the $30 million provincial investment in North Vancouver Island include:
- Partnership with K’awat’si Economic Development Corporation to develop housing units for health-care providers, with occupancy on track for the coming months
- Renovations completed at Eagle Ridge Manor, allowing for two additional long-term care beds which are now in operation
- Increased Protection Services Officer presence at Port Hardy Hospital and Port McNeill Hospital
- Planning for modernization of Port Hardy Hospital underway to be followed by Port McNeill Hospital