Island Health Faces Rising Demand and Enhances Staffing for 2025

As Vancouver Island’s population ages, the demand for surgical and diagnostic services is set to increase significantly in 2025. Leah Hollins, chair of the Island Health board, highlighted this trend in her end-of-year message, acknowledging the organization’s progress despite ongoing challenges, including a shortage of human resources and the persistent impact of the toxic drug crisis.

“Our aging population is creating a pressing need for surgical and diagnostic services,” said Hollins. “We are working to meet this need.” The demand for diagnostic services is already evident, with MRI exams projected to rise from 56,600 in 2024 to over 58,000 in 2025. Similarly, the number of CT scans is expected to increase from 166,000 to more than 176,000 in the same period.

Urgent primary care visits also saw a substantial rise, reaching over 213,000 from December 2024 to November 2025, compared to 165,000 the previous year. Hollins noted that these improvements reflect the hard work of clinical teams, but they also underscore the necessity for additional capacity throughout the region.

Significant Staffing Improvements

In 2025, Island Health experienced notable advancements in staffing, with the full-time job opening rate decreasing to 12.2 percent from 16.3 percent. Nursing vacancies also fell significantly, from 19.2 percent to 15 percent. Recruitment efforts yielded positive results, attracting nearly 800 nurses, including 66 from the United States. Key positions in primary care, emergency medicine, psychiatry, and rural communities were filled, adding nearly 300 physicians and 32 nurse practitioners.

In addition to clinical roles, allied health and support positions grew by 2,500, which has helped to reduce reliance on overtime and agency staff. “These efforts are stabilizing staffing, reducing overtime and agency dependence, and strengthening care across Vancouver Island,” Hollins stated.

Future Developments and Financial Oversight

Looking ahead, Island Health is planning new long-term care facilities in areas such as Colwood. They are also developing Canada’s first zero-carbon certified hospital and British Columbia’s first fossil-fuel-free facility, the Quw’utsun Valley Hospital, which is slated to open in 2027 in Cowichan.

Hollins also addressed a comprehensive spending review conducted by Island Health and other health authorities in British Columbia. This review aimed to manage financial pressures and included a thorough examination of leadership structures and administrative costs. As a result, the non-contract workforce was reduced by 174 employees, and another 91 non-contract job postings were suspended.

Island Health’s proactive measures and strategic planning are crucial as they prepare to navigate the complex healthcare landscape in the coming year. With a focus on meeting the growing demands of their aging population, Island Health is positioning itself to enhance the quality and accessibility of healthcare services across Vancouver Island.