"Invest in cervical cancer prevention and research through education and awareness programming, enhanced screening options, expanded treatment research at UBC, and making the HPV vaccine free to all women." — Common Sense Change for British Columbia, retrieved 2024-10-15

"Build on the success of OVCARE, a made-in-BC global leader in ovarian cancer research. We will work with OVCARE researchers to identify the resources needed to increase the impact of its world-leading research." — Common Sense Change for British Columbia, retrieved 2024-10-15

"We’ll increase BC Cancer’s Indigenous workforce and deliver high-quality, culturally safe cancer care for Indigenous people, families and communities." — An Action Plan for You, retrieved 2024-10-07

"After a brief consultation period, the Conservative Party of BC will:

1. Implement the Patients First Wait Time Guarantee for select diagnostics and surgical procedures.

If diagnostic or medical procedures exceed medically recommended wait times, patients would be able to access care at a pre-approved facility out-of-province and be re-imbursed according to a set fee schedule. A similar policy (Cross Border Directive) has been helping patients across the European Union since 2013."

— conservativebc.ca, retrieved 2024-10-08

"The Conservative Party of BC will:

1. Pay for patients in the public system to receive quality health care services in non-governmental clinics for specific priority procedures and diagnostic services.

We will get people off waiting lists and into operating rooms and diagnostic clinics for services like MRIs and priority surgeries. It makes no sense for non-government health facilities to sit idle when they could be contracted to help BC patients right now."

— conservativebc.ca, retrieved 2024-10-08

"We will work with Indigenous leaders to develop treatment and recovery programs available within First Nations communities. Individuals undergoing treatment for health challenges including addiction, should have the option of receiving the support they need close to home, in a familiar and culturally appropriate environment." — conservativebc.ca, retrieved 2024-10-08

"Do everything in its power to crack-down on criminals who import and distribute deadly drugs like fentanyl." — conservativebc.ca, retrieved 2024-10-08

"Integrate treatment into the correctional healthcare systems: When someone with a debilitating addiction problem arrives at a hospital or is taken into custody, we will offer or require immediate access to evidence-based addiction treatments. We won’t allow people to fall through the cracks anymore."— Common Sense Change for British Columbia, retrieved 2024-10-15

"Expand access to addiction and mental health supports for individuals in the justice and correctional systems."— Common Sense Change for British Columbia, retrieved 2024-10-15

"Secure our ports by working with the Port and all 3 levels of government to reinstate full and reliable funding for the RCMP-led Waterfront Joint Forces Operations, and expand the number of officers on the team." — conservativebc.ca, retrieved 2024-10-08

"Appoint an Addictions Specialist with cross-ministerial authority to oversee the BC government’s response to the addiction public health emergency." — Common Sense Change for British Columbia, retrieved 2024-10-15

"Hold overdose prevention sites accountable: As a temporary and emergency measure, some existing overdose prevention sites may be required. Unlike Eby, we will not hesitate to shut-down any site that refuses to abide by strict standards of conduct. No more free-for-all drug use near schools and playgrounds, no more spilling-out onto residential streets." — Common Sense Change for British Columbia, retrieved 2024-10-15

"Establish a Virtual Opioid Dependency Program: Across the province, we will make it easy for anyone to connect virtually with addiction specialists and start treatment without delay." — Common Sense Change for British Columbia, retrieved 2024-10-15

"Fund abstinence-based treatment and recovery as an option available to anyone." — Common Sense Change for British Columbia, retrieved 2024-10-15

"Ensure wide availability of Nasal Naloxone: Free and accessible, province- wide, because saving lives must come first." — Common Sense Change for British Columbia, retrieved 2024-10-15

"Close the gap between detox and care: The current system lets people fall into dangerous gaps between detox and treatment. We will provide seamless and monitored transitions from detox to outpatient or inpatient care." — Common Sense Change for British Columbia, retrieved 2024-10-15

"Housing with treatment: No more warehousing or tent cities. Current and future supportive housing facilities must be integrated with healthcare services as an integral part of their programming, not as an afterthought or absent altogether." — Common Sense Change for British Columbia, retrieved 2024-10-15

"Build recovery communities: We will build regional recovery communities that will provide professional care and guidance to those recovering from addictions. The program will allow up to 12-month live-in participation as well as a subsequent guidance program to assist in post treatment housing, career, and personal counseling." — Common Sense Change for British Columbia, retrieved 2024-10-15

"Build specialized housing for complex needs: We will establish housing for those with anoxic brain injuries due to drug use, who cannot thrive in traditional treatment environments." — Common Sense Change for British Columbia, retrieved 2024-10-15

"Enact “Christian’s Law” for compassionate intervention: We will introduce involuntary treatment legislation for individuals with addiction who are unable to make life-saving decisions on their own. After consultation with his family, the law will be named after Christian DeSousa, a young man who lost his life to drugs after struggling with addiction since age 13. The NDP government refused to place Christian in involuntary treatment that his mother pleaded for, repeatedly." — Common Sense Change for British Columbia, retrieved 2024-10-15

"Getting people with addictions the right care in the right place when they’re ready for treatment with individually tailored, publicly funded addiction treatment and support, from detox to after-care, accessible through a single phone number across the entire province." — An Action Plan for You, retrieved 2024-10-07

"Helping prevent the cycle of addiction by strengthening drug prevention education in BC schools. Built around providing supportive training and resources to all school staff, this ap- proach is aimed at creating opportunities for children and youth to be engaged about how dangerous and toxic drugs are. And done in ways that are appropriate for their age and grade, and maximizes their odds of making good choices to protect themselves and their friends." — An Action Plan for You, retrieved 2024-10-07

"Removing barriers to treatment and keep families together through the recovery process by establishing residential treatment options that provide direct supports to parents undergoing addiction treatment." — An Action Plan for You, retrieved 2024-10-07

"Expanding specialized treatment beds for people from across the province with both mental health and substance use disorders by building a second Red FishHealing Centre and additional “satellite” facilities." — An Action Plan for You, retrieved 2024-10-07

"Providing secure, supportive and dignified care for people in BC whose struggles with brain injuries, severe mental health illness and addiction require intensive care.

By opening up secure facilities to provide secure care under the Mental Health Act, we can deliver help to people who are potentially a danger to themselves or others — so that rather than often ending up in and out of prison, they will be in a physically and culturally safe environment receiving the care they need."

— An Action Plan for You, retrieved 2024-10-07

"Breaking the chain of addictions leading to crime by setting up designated mental health units in correctional centres to provide rapid treatment for people with mental health and addiction challenges being held on remand or sentenced to custody by the courts." — An Action Plan for You, retrieved 2024-10-07

"Getting you faster urgent care closer to home and taking pressure off emergency rooms by building more UPCCs (Urgent & Primary Care Centres) in high demand areas and the hours of UPCCs to include nights and weekends. UPCCs are doing their job — since the first one opened in 2018, our 39 centres have collectively handled millions of visits in the past year." — An Action Plan for You, retrieved 2024-10-07

"Comprehensive primary care led by a family physician improves patient outcomes. The Conservative Party of BC will immediately consult and work with physicians and other primary health providers (e.g., physician assistants, nurses, nurse practitioners) on ways to maximize the number of people a family doctor’s office can see. This will support the reported nearly 1 million British Columbians without a family doctor to get off a waitlist and into a primary healthcare clinic.

To meet the current and future demand, increasing the number of family physicians is important but will not be enough on its own. It is critical that we work together to look at ways to optimize the utilization and efficiency of our primary healthcare providers, including the use of modern tools and technologies to reduce administrative burden, track and optimize staffing, and ultimately improve patient outcomes." — conservativebc.ca, retrieved 2024-10-08

"Ensuring that more British Columbians in rural areas are able to access updated types of care like telehealth and digital diagnostic tools." — conservativebc.ca, retrieved 2024-10-08

"Saving you a trip to the doctor for more common conditions so you can get better faster. We will expand how pharmacists can prescribe medications, refer and offer testing for routine conditions – like strep throat or UTI testing. This means routine illnesses can be tested for and treated quickly and without a doctor’s appointment, freeing up primary care providers’ time for more patients." — An Action Plan for You, retrieved 2024-10-07

"Instead of simply throwing money at health facilities and hoping for the best (the “block grant” model), the Conservative Party will implement what has effectively worked well in European countries and Quebec – a policy known as “activity-based funding”.

This will see hospitals, Regional Health Authorities, and/or other non-government facilities funded based on their output – each time they treat patients for specific diagnostic and priority procedures, they receive additional funds. This approach incentivizes providers to be more efficient and treat as many patients as possible."

— conservativebc.ca, retrieved 2024-10-08

"Ensuring that we track key metrics for all parts of the healthcare journey. We will expand current tracking of the time from the visit to a specialist to the surgery. We will expand this tracking to include the wait time to see a specialist." — conservativebc.ca, retrieved 2024-10-08

"Identifying additional performance metrics for the system and ensuring that the progress is tracked and reported to British Columbians in an accessible and understandable manner." — conservativebc.ca, retrieved 2024-10-08

"Drawing on best governance practices from other jurisdictions to break down silos between the Regional Health Authorities and the Ministry. This enables the implementation of Integrated Operations Centres at the provincial and zone level and allow the ability to track and manage wait times and optimize resources in real time." — conservativebc.ca, retrieved 2024-10-08

"We will complete a full review of Health Authorities with the goal of driving down costs and streamlining overhead and administration, putting those savings to work delivering more front-line services to you." — An Action Plan for You, retrieved 2024-10-07

"We will deliver unified access to provincial health care resources. Rather than having rehabilitation, imaging and procedures fragmented across regions, a unified province-wide access system would reduce wait times and give better access to health care for all patients, especially in rural areas." — An Action Plan for You, retrieved 2024-10-07

"We will move to digital delivery. We will axe the fax, remove unnecessary paperwork, and speed up prescription, referral and other services." — An Action Plan for You, retrieved 2024-10-07

"We will work with health care professionals to find new ways of improving the flow of health records and data, making health care work better for you – particularly when you have multiple health care providers." — An Action Plan for You, retrieved 2024-10-0

"Nurses that want to improve their credentials should have flexible options for career training. As experienced professionals retire, our system will need to replace this expertise. We will ensure that front line staff like Healthcare Assistants and Licensed Practical Nurses that want to upskill their credentials have a path that ensures they can both support our healthcare system and advance their careers." — conservativebc.ca, retrieved 2024-10-08

"Immediately repealing the Health Professions and Occupations Act (Bill C-36) to reduce the unnecessary red tape, political and ideology control that the NDP have imposed on the healthcare system.

1. The front lines understand and know their professions better than government. We want to work with them to establish legislation that ensures that the oversight of medical professions is neither politicized, nor needlessly restrictive and/or government regulated."

— conservativebc.ca, retrieved 2024-10-08

"Present early offers and enter in multi-year employment contracts with BC educated medical professionals (pending successful program completion) to incentivize and encourage graduates to remain in the province." — conservativebc.ca, retrieved 2024-10-08

"Create new spots in BC medical schools reserved specifically for BC students. Students from British Columbia are more likely to want to practice in communities closer to home." — conservativebc.ca, retrieved 2024-10-08

"Work with our post-secondary institutions to expand opportunities for medical students to get hands-on experience while completing their education. We need to build connections between students who seek to work in healthcare specifically in high need positions and communities (e.g., Healthcare Assistants)." — conservativebc.ca, retrieved 2024-10-08

"Expanding both domestic and international recruitment efforts to fill urgent needs within the system.

o We cannot improve access if we do not have the necessary staff. Out-of-province and international recruitment can provide an immediate stopgap to address staffing shortfalls.

o Out-of-province and international professionals that come to BC to practice in high need jurisdictions will have access to financial incentives."

— conservativebc.ca, retrieved 2024-10-08

"Taking all constitutionally permitted steps within the immigration system to nominate and accelerate applications for medical professionals.

o The federal government has had the ability to expedite applications for international medical professionals, but they have failed to do so.

o We will work with the federal government to ensure that applicants are able to acquire the necessary credentials to begin practicing in Canada immediately.

o We will identify ways to accelerate credential recognition to ensure that no British Columbian has skills that go to waste.

o We will build on the model of the Atlantic Physicians Registry and work with other provinces to simplify processes for medical professionals to move between jurisdictions."

— conservativebc.ca, retrieved 2024-10-08

"Train, hire and keep more doctors, nurses and other health professionals with a practice-in-BC guarantee. Last year, in addition to the doctors we added, we also hired 6,300 nurses and now have the fastest-growing nurse workforce in the country. And we’re going to keep that momentum going so we continue to lower nurse- to-patient ratios, in part, through a new program that forgives the tuition loans of health professionals in return for a long- term BC residency guarantee." — An Action Plan for You, retrieved 2024-10-07

"Get out-of-province health care providers delivering care sooner by requiring BC’s health regulatory colleges to provide provisional licences immediately to Canadian-trained providers and within six weeks for providers from approved jurisdictions, while we continue to improve processing times overall and provide more transparency on licensing timelines." — An Action Plan for You, retrieved 2024-10-07

"Address regional shortages of critical health care professionals – like labratory, imaging and cardiology technologists, psychologists and pharmacists — through targeted tuition assistance."— An Action Plan for You, retrieved 2024-10-07

"Instead of simply throwing money at health facilities and hoping for the best (the “block grant” model), the Conservative Party will implement what has effectively worked well in European countries and Quebec – a policy known as “activity-based funding”.

This will see hospitals, Regional Health Authorities, and/or other non-government facilities funded based on their output – each time they treat patients for specific diagnostic and priority procedures, they receive additional funds. This approach incentivizes providers to be more efficient and treat as many patients as possible."

— conservativebc.ca, retrieved 2024-10-08

"By providing common wages, benefits and working conditions for staff across both public and private long-term care homes, we can make sure all facilities will be staffed by caring, well trained and qualified workers held to a consistent provincial standard of care for all seniors." — An Action Plan for You, retrieved 2024-10-07

"Enforcing maximum wait standards by establishing strict wait-time regulations for critical mental health conditions like schizophrenia, psychosis, and eating disorders, ensuring timely access to care. Waiting for months under the status quo is unacceptable." — Common Sense Change for British Columbia, retrieved 2024-10-15

"Safety for patients and communities by making sure individuals who pose a threat to themselves or others are receiving treatment in secure facilities – not on the streets. The Mental Health Act and involuntary care practices will be reviewed so BC will never have a repeat of Eby’s refusal to place high-risk individuals in secure treatment." — Common Sense Change for British Columbia, retrieved 2024-10-15

"Supporting increased family involvement by increasing treatment opportunities that foster collaborative engagement between patients and families throughout the continuum of care. This holistic approach not only enhances recovery, but also strengthens family bonds." — Common Sense Change for British Columbia, retrieved 2024-10-15

"Mental health accountability by establishing an Independent Representative for Mental Health to provide oversight, public reporting, and accountability in our health system. More transparency will result in better outcomes for all British Columbians." — Common Sense Change for British Columbia, retrieved 2024-10-15

"Repurpose and redevelop the Coquitlam Riverview site into a centre of excellence for mental healthcare and addictions recovery, including new secure treatment capacity. We will seek federal partnerships to expedite development and navigate complexities related to the Canada Health Act." — Common Sense Change for British Columbia, retrieved 2024-10-15

"Build secure housing units to create safe facilities for the treatment of individuals who pose a risk to themselves, staff, or other patients. This will address urgent care needs while prioritising safety for all." — Common Sense Change for British Columbia, retrieved 2024-10-15

"Strengthen mental health services across the province by identifying rural and interior communities with the greatest unmet needs, and making the necessary investments in mental health infrastructure to ensure fair access for all British Columbians." — Common Sense Change for British Columbia, retrieved 2024-10-15

"Integrate mental health response into the 911 system, because a person in crisis should be able to receive support when it’s needed most. We will consult with medical experts and first responders to identify how to best improve rapid access to mental health support." — Common Sense Change for British Columbia, retrieved 2024-10-15

"Expand Peer-Assisted Care Teams to alleviate pressure on emergency services and provide immediate support to those in need." — Common Sense Change for British Columbia, retrieved 2024-10-15

"Expanding mental health counselling care across BC by fueling the vital work of community-based mental health organizations through a new $50 million Community Mental Health Resilience Fund." — An Action Plan for You, retrieved 2024-10-07

"Delivering supportive, safe and confidential mental health and addiction services to youth and their families. We’ve fast-tracked the development of Foundry Centres for Youth in communities across BC. And they’re working well, with more than 17,500 people aged 12-24 and their families accessing critical mental health, addiction, and physical and sexual health services. We are moving forward with Foundry Centres in ten more communities — quadrupling the number since 2017." — An Action Plan for You, retrieved 2024-10-07

"Providing secure, supportive and dignified care for people in BC whose struggles with brain injuries, severe mental health illness and addiction require intensive care.

By opening up secure facilities to provide secure care under the Mental Health Act, we can deliver help to people who are potentially a danger to themselves or others — so that rather than often ending up in and out of prison, they will be in a physically and culturally safe environment receiving the care they need."

— An Action Plan for You, retrieved 2024-10-07

"Delivering supportive, safe, quality care when a mental health crisis is reported to 911 by fast-tracking the expansion of civilian-led and health-focused crisis response teams across the province." — An Action Plan for You, retrieved 2024-10-07

"Introduce 1 month of paid compassionate leave for women who suffer miscarriage, ensuring women have the support and space needed to recover from miscarriage - without worrying about the pressures of work." — Common Sense Change for British Columbia, retrieved 2024-10-15

"Establish a midwife degree program in Surrey: Working in partnership with an established post-secondary institution, we will establish a midwife degree program in Surrey to address the shortage of qualified midwives. Currently, the only midwife program in BC is located at UBC’s Point Grey campus." — Common Sense Change for British Columbia, retrieved 2024-10-15

"Launch a 2-year degree conversion program for nurses, allowing registered nurses to transition into midwifery and further strengthen our healthcare workforce." — Common Sense Change for British Columbia, retrieved 2024-10-15

"Create a comprehensive strategy to improve mater- nity care across the province that prioritizes new ways of supporting OBGYNs, family doctors and midwives in delivering care to their patients." — An Action Plan for You, retrieved 2024-10-07

"Increase funding for home support services, eliminate daily user fees, and address the Better at Home program’s extensive waitlists." — conservativebc.ca, retrieved 2024-10-08

"Double the number Seniors’ Community Parks so our elders can stay in shape with age-appropriate outdoor exercise equipment." — conservativebc.ca, retrieved 2024-10-08

"Increase support and streamline care for seniors with dementia through a comprehensive, person-centered care pathway from early diagnosis to advanced stages." — conservativebc.ca, retrieved 2024-10-08

"Expanding the Better at Home program so more seniors get the support they need to remain in their homes as they age – while easing demand on long-term care homes. We’re now up to 93 community-based Better at Home programs across BC, providing chores around the house that keep seniors safe and happy. Our new investments expand the services this program offers, including social meals, more transportation options, and peer support." — An Action Plan for You, retrieved 2024-10-07

"Expanding the Hospital at Home program so seniors with long term health conditions that require more intensive medical support don’t have to stay in hospital, freeing up beds and improving quality of life." — An Action Plan for You, retrieved 2024-10-07

"We’re doing this by committing $324 million over three years to boost programs that help seniors thrive in their homes and communities, instead of moving into care.

This funding will hire more nurses, physiotherapists, health care assistants and home support workers – the people that help keep seniors happy, healthy and safe at home."

— An Action Plan for You, retrieved 2024-10-07

"Funding two rounds of IVF treatment: We will increase support for couples seeking fertility treatments by providing funding for first- and second-round in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments, including for clinics outside BC until our capacity shortage is addressed."

"Expanding IVF capacity in BC by working in partnership with private sector experts to expand capacity in fertility clinics, ensuring that couples can access timely and effective care."

"Bringing down out-of -pocket costs for people in rural British Columbia who need to travel for specialist health care services. We will expand the Travel Assistance Program (TAP BC) — which provides financial assistance If the specialist health care you need isn’t available in your community — to include mileage for your car. And we’ll cover your travel expenses before they’re due for payment, so you’re not paying out of pocket and waiting for a refund." — An Action Plan for You, retrieved 2024-10-07

"Conducting a thorough review of curricula to ensure congruency of the healthcare professional roles with present needs and future demands of emerging Artificially Intelligent Health Technologies (AIHTs)." — conservativebc.ca, retrieved 2024-10-08

"Creating a framework for AIHT in BC that ensures all usage improves the care of patients either directly or indirectly by using health service resources more productively. Any cost savings will be reinvested in BC healthcare - modern technology will work to help reduce wait times."— conservativebc.ca, retrieved 2024-10-08

"Ensuring that any introduction of any technology must be grounded in robust research evidence and a fit for purpose and framework that patients, public and staff can all trust. We will prioritize the importance of protecting privacy relating personal to health data and ensure health data cannot be disclosed without an individual’s full consent." — conservativebc.ca, retrieved 2024-10-08

"Invest in cervical cancer prevention and research through education and awareness programming, enhanced screening options, expanded treatment research at UBC, and making the HPV vaccine free to all women." — Common Sense Change for British Columbia, retrieved 2024-10-15

"Build on the success of OVCARE, a made-in-BC global leader in ovarian cancer research. We will work with OVCARE researchers to identify the resources needed to increase the impact of its world-leading research." — Common Sense Change for British Columbia, retrieved 2024-10-15

"Providing free menopause treatment with HRT to help protect women against heart disease and osteoporosis, and reduce the risk of colon cancer." — An Action Plan for You, retrieved 2024-10-07

"Create a comprehensive strategy to improve mater- nity care across the province that prioritizes new ways of supporting OBGYNs, family doctors and midwives in delivering care to their patients." — An Action Plan for You, retrieved 2024-10-07