British Columbia Attracts U.S. Healthcare Workers Amid Staffing Crisis

Victoria, B.C. – As of July 16, British Columbia has received nearly 780 applications from U.S. healthcare workers as part of its recruitment campaign amid an escalating staffing crisis in the healthcare sector. The campaign, which began in March 2023, has seen a significant response, particularly from nurses and physicians, with 399 applications from nurses and 188 from doctors.

The recruitment effort intensified in June with an advertising campaign targeting potential applicants in nearby U.S. states, including Washington, Oregon, and California. This initiative is a direct response to the severe shortage of healthcare personnel in the province, especially concerning family physicians. Currently, specific numbers detailing how many residents lack a family doctor have not been disclosed by Health Minister Josie Osborne, although Premier David Eby noted that around 300,000 individuals were on the Health Connect Registry awaiting a primary care provider as of September.

In B.C., the healthcare system has been facing mounting challenges, including frequent hospital closures due to staffing shortages. For instance, a prominent case involved the temporary closure of a pediatric unit in Kelowna, which lasted for six weeks and concluded on July 13. These issues underline the growing need for immediate solutions to bolster the healthcare workforce in the province.

Streamlined Processes for Registration

To facilitate the integration of U.S. healthcare professionals into the B.C. system, the B.C. College of Nurses and Midwives has initiated a streamlined process for nurses to transfer their qualifications without the need for third-party assessments. So far, 320 out of the 399 nurses who applied have achieved registration through this revised process. Additionally, on July 7, changes were approved by the B.C. College of Physicians and Surgeons allowing U.S.-trained doctors holding certification from recognized U.S. accrediting bodies to gain full licensure in B.C. without further assessments. Following this announcement, the college received 29 applications from U.S. doctors within the next nine days.

Incentives for Internationally-trained Doctors

The B.C. College is also waiving the requirement for internationally trained doctors from countries other than the U.S. or Canada to have the Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada. This change helps save those doctors $1,500 and streamlines their entry into the B.C. system. Furthermore, potential amendments to bylaws that would ease registration for internationally-trained physicians from Australia, New Zealand, the U.K., South Africa, Switzerland, and Ireland are under consideration, with feedback on the proposed changes being accepted until September 15.

Response from Prospective Applicants

The B.C. government is also targeting healthcare professionals in the U.S. who may be disillusioned with healthcare policies under the previous administration. Reports indicate over 2,250 healthcare workers, including 827 doctors, 851 nurses, 254 nurse practitioners, and 250 allied health professionals, have expressed interest in working in B.C. Applications have been received from all regional health authorities, with the Interior Health Authority receiving 181 applications, Fraser Health 154, and Vancouver Coastal Health 121.

Health Sector Response and Future Plans

B.C.’s strategy for attracting healthcare workers is part of a broader collaborative initiative involving provincial government entities, health authorities, and regulatory colleges. This effort reflects a shift in health regulations aiming to ease the entry of foreign-trained healthcare professionals into the province, mirroring actions taken by other provinces dealing with similar staffing challenges.

In addition to recruitment efforts, provincial officials are focusing on improving working conditions for current healthcare workers. There is a pressing need to address nearly 6,000 nursing vacancies, underscoring the importance of retaining healthcare staff while simultaneously attracting new talent into the system.