Island Health says a $30-million provincial investment has significantly boosted health care on north Vancouver Island.
The funding has supported recruitment, expanded mental-health services, patient transport improvements and capital projects, including a mobile CT scanner at Port Hardy Hospital.
“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.”
Recruitment remains a top priority, particularly for x-ray and lab technologists in emergency departments.
Island Health says part of the investment helped fund a partnership with K’awat’si Economic Development Corporation to build housing units for health-care workers, which are expected to open in the coming months.
The funding also supported renovations at Eagle Ridge Manor, adding two long-term care beds.
Since January 2023, Island Health has added three physicians in Port McNeill and four in Port Hardy. In total, 110 net new staff have been hired on north Vancouver Island during that time.
