BC Nurses' Union Pleased Budget 2018 Supports Affordable, Accessible Services for BC

"New investments in the supply of quality, affordable child care, housing availability and affordability, and the elimination of MSP premiums entirely by January 1, 2020 will improve services and quality of life for British Columbians," said Acting President Christine Sorensen.

"We are also delighted that government's emphasis on addressing the social determinants of health did not come at the expense of improving health care for our citizens," she said.

The new budget provides $1.5 billion in new investment over three years to improve access to primary care, home and community care, residential care and assisted living, making services that help seniors age in place more accessible and extending primary care to many who currently lack doctors.

"$548 million of this new money is specifically targeted to increase hours of direct care per individual in residential care and to enhance services to meet the needs of our rapidly growing seniors' population," said Sorensen. "This is great news for seniors and long overdue."

Another $150 million over three years will be used to expand the coverage of primary care providers and extend team-based care to those without physicians.

The budget also commits $3.1 billion of new capital spending for the renewal and upgrading of health infrastructure, which will improve access to modern hospitals in many parts of British Columbia.

The challenge BC is facing remains the ongoing supply of health care professionals, including nurses, to enable the expansion of services to residents.

"That's a problem we are keen to work with government on solving, as the new investments in health services for people will add urgency to planning increases in supply as quickly as possible," said Sorensen.