Patients in British Columbia’s Interior now have access to virtual emergency care at four hospitals as part of a new pilot project. This initiative aims to modernize health services in rural areas and address staffing challenges. The pilot program, implemented by the Interior Health authority, will operate in the emergency departments of hospitals located in Lillooet, Clearwater, Nakusp, and Princeton, three of which have experienced periodic closures due to staffing shortages.
The pilot will begin with a limited rollout, operating a few nights a week while maintaining in-person care on other evenings. However, starting in 2024, the program is expected to expand to seven nights a week. Under this new model, a doctor will provide in-person care at one facility, while offering virtual support to the other three emergency departments. An emergency nurse will assess the level of care required at locations without a doctor present.
Interior Health emphasizes that for life-threatening emergencies, an in-person physician will be on standby in each community. According to Sylvia Weir, president of Interior Health, the gradual rollout is designed to help care teams and patients adapt to the new process while allowing for valuable feedback.
“Patient safety remains our key focus, and that is why we continue to approach the modernization of rural emergency services with care and consideration,” Weir stated.
The hospital in Nakusp has already been utilizing a similar program for two nights a week, providing valuable insights that contributed to this broader initiative. The sharing of physician coverage across multiple sites is expected to foster a “more sustainable work life” for health professionals, promoting collaboration among rural doctors and enhancing access to specialized care for residents in these areas.
As this pilot project unfolds, it represents a significant step toward improving healthcare delivery in rural British Columbia. By leveraging technology and adapting to the needs of communities, Interior Health aims to ensure that residents receive timely and effective emergency care.