YOUR PERSPECTIVE: Seeing progress in strengthening our health care system

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Also this year, 6,258 new nurses have registered with the B.C. College of Nurses and Midwives, including 578 internationally educated nurses who have chosen to practice here in B.C.

Hat Trick

Suspects arrested after stolen car tracked to Langley property Friday evening: AbbyPD

7h ago

Drug Trafficking

Chilliwack man among two charged in Lower Mainland drug trafficking investigation

8h ago

Steps of Hope

Chilliwack residents invited for fundraising walk to help rehabilitate individuals coming out of prison

11h ago

More than 1,000 new permanent full-time paramedic and emergency responder positions have been added in communities right around the province. Additionally, more than 7,000 people have been hired within the Health Career Access Program. This program helps people gain non-clinical experience, in fields such as long-term care, assisted living, home health or acute care, while they are training to become health-care assistants.

We have also added 3,324 new training seats for nurses, allied health professionals, and health care assistants.

Pharmacists in B.C. are now treating minor ailments and providing contraception services: nearly 132,00 people have seen a pharmacist for these purposes so far in 2023 – helping to ease pressure on doctors and emergency room. More than 188,000 people also received free contraceptives since we introduced coverage on April 1.

But we know there is a lot more work to do.

In the next year we will be doing even more to help retain, redesign, recruit, and train within the health care system to support patients and workers. This includes more front-line clinic management support, a new recruitment campaign, more peer support and mentoring for those in health care careers, and much more.

We are working towards a stronger British Columbia for everyone.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of Fraser Valley Today or Pattison Media.