Media Release – Delay implementation of new Patient Care Model

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Statement—December 5, 2013

Andrew Weaver calls on Island Health to delay implementation of new Patient Care Model

Victoria BC – Andrew Weaver, MLA for Oak Bay-Gordon Head, has called on Island Health to delay the implementation of their new patient care model, titled Care Delivery Model Redesign (CDMR), until comprehensive, independent and publically-available evaluations can be completed.

CDMR is Island Health’s controversial approach to redesigning nursing care at island hospitals. It is scheduled to be implemented at Royal Jubilee and Victoria General Hospitals in the New Year. Under CDMR, Island Health would implement a team-based nursing approach between Registered Nurses (RNs), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) and Health Care Aids (HCAs), with HCAs playing a significantly larger role in patient care delivery.

According to Island Health, the new model will address strains on the system while increasing the individual care time a patient receives. However, critics argue that the new model is overly focused on cutting costs and will put patients at risk. They argue that nurses will be stretched too thin to provide adequate care to patients, making one RN responsible for up to 10 to 12 patients, and that Health Care Aids do not have the necessary training to safely take on this larger role.

“Health care professionals are raising serious concerns about CDMR, research suggests it could be problematic, and its impact on our health care system could be significant,” says Andrew Weaver. “Yet while Island Health states that CDMR is an evidence-based approach to health care, they have not released their evidence for public scrutiny.”

In response to concerns raised by several constituents, Andrew Weaver met with executives from Island Health, the British Columbia Nurses Union and the College of Registered Nurses of British Columbia last week.

“I applaud Island Health’s efforts to find new and innovative ways to more effectively and efficiently meet patients’ care needs. However, major changes like CDMR should be grounded in evidence. It is for this reason that I have written to Dr. Brendan Carr, President and CEO of Island Health, to request the following:

1. That further roll-out of CDMR, including all plans at Victoria General and Royal Jubilee Hospitals, be delayed until comprehensive, independent and publically-available evaluations of CDMR can be completed.
2. That relevant stakeholders, including representatives of BC’s Registered Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses, be further involved in the evaluation of current CDMR pilots as well as in the development of future plans involving the realignment of care teams.”

For background on CDMR, please click here.

Media Enquiries please contact:
Mat Wright – Press Secretary – Andrew Weaver MLA
Mat.wright@leg.bc.ca
Mobile (1) 250 216 3382