Burnaby, B.C. – The Ministry of Health’s health human resources strategy promises to build healthy, safe, and inspired workplaces for B.C.’s health care workers.

“We are thrilled to see a strong commitment to the occupational health and psychological well-being of healthcare workers in British Columbia,” said Saleema Dhalla, CEO SafeCare BC. “Workers in the continuing care sector look after some of B.C.s most vulnerable citizens. Supporting care workers and strengthening health human resources is essential to ensure long-term and community care support can continue to provide exemplary care.”

B.C. will support the health and wellness of our healthcare workers through several key initiatives:

A new provincial health workforce wellness team will create resources to support teams across the province. The Canadian Mental Health Association (B.C. Division), in partnership with the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions, and SafeCare BC, will continue to provide free mental health resources, training, and peer support through CareforCaregivers.ca and Care to Speak.

A Provincial Violence Prevention Framework and a new provincial violence prevention team will support existing protection service personnel at sites across B.C. Trauma-informed practice, including standardized training, will support stronger safety cultures and healthy and safe workplaces. Training will also be available to support the Declaration Action Plan and In Plain Sight recommendations to build a healthcare system free of Indigenous-specific racism.

Health Authorities will adopt an in-house protection service model at major sites across the province. Protection service officers will provide 24/7 security coverage at high-risk sites with trauma-informed training.

Additional funding will expand the Employee Family Assistance Program (EFAP) to employees of private and affiliated long-term care and assisted living sites.

Dhalla adds, “The mental health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is significant. We look forward to strengthening our partnerships with the Canadian Mental Health Association and the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions to deliver mental health resources, training, and peer support to care workers. We are grateful for the province’s commitment to recognizing that occupational health and psychological supports are fundamental in supporting retention in the sector.”

Related information

• B.C.’s Health Human Resources Strategy | Putting People First

Media Contacts

Lisa Thibault, Director of Communications, SafeCare BC
(604) 614-1593
lisa@safecarebc.ca

About SafeCare BC

Established in 2013, SafeCare BC is an industry-funded, non-profit association working to ensure injury-free, safe working conditions for continuing care workers in B.C. SafeCare BC strives to be the industry leader in advancing injury prevention and safety training for long-term care and home support workers. We are committed to improving health and safety within the workplace and responding to the needs and priorities of our members.