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'We need a focus on improving access to health care services – not reducing access.' - HSABC president Reid Johnson.
Vancouver (12 June 2009) - The Health Sciences Association of British Columbia (HSABC/NUPGE) says the provinces new health minister, Kevin Falcon, faces immediate challenges in his new job
“Just this week, it was revealed that health authorities are facing financial pressures that could result in reduced services and increased user fees for British Columbians," says HSABC president Reid Johnson.
"In a growing province and where we’re seeing increasing acuity in the patients in the health care system, we need a focus on improving access to health care services – not reducing access,” he says.
Falcon needs to heed the direction of British Columbians who have repeatedly said a strong public health care system is a priority, Johnson says.
A further challenge in health care is the ever-growing crisis in the ability to recruit and retain highly skilled and specialized health science professionals who deliver the critical diagnostic, clinical, and rehabilitation services to patients alongside doctors and nurses, he adds.
“I will be seeking a meeting as soon as possible with Minister Falcon and the new Minister of Advanced Education, Moira Stilwell, to discuss with them the need to immediately address the crisis in recruitment and retention of the highly skilled health science professionals our health care system depends on.
“HSABC has worked closely for the past several years with Moira Stilwell through our mutual partnership in the continuing fight to end the life limiting effects of breast cancer. She understands the need for human resources planning and now that she has responsibility for advanced education I am optimistic some of the training and recruitment challenges in the health care system can be addressed,” Johnson says.
The Health Sciences Association of BC is the union that represents 15,000 health science professionals who work in the diagnostic, clinical and rehabilitation professions and are a critical part of the health care team.
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The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE