Oliver, B.C. Breaks Ground on Urgent Housing for Health Workers

UPDATE: Oliver, B.C. has just launched a groundbreaking initiative to tackle urgent healthcare staffing shortages. The small community held a ceremony on November 16, 2023, marking the beginning of construction for modular housing aimed at attracting health-care workers to the beleaguered South Okanagan General Hospital.

The modular units, designed to accommodate four people each, will be built near Sunnybank Centre, a long-term care facility. This strategic move is expected to draw health-care professionals both permanently and temporarily, as the community struggles to keep its emergency room open amid staffing challenges.

“We need to attract workers from further away, whether it’s from northern B.C., Alberta, or internationally,” said Oliver Mayor Martin Johansen. The urgency of this project comes as the hospital faced a staggering 30 emergency room closures this year alone, forcing patients to be diverted to Penticton, approximately 40 kilometers away.

These closures have created a critical situation for the town of approximately 5,000 residents, with the emergency room also serving neighboring communities like Osoyoos. “If you have an emergency and Penticton is your only option, you must call an ambulance — pulling resources from our community,” Johansen emphasized.

From June to September 2023, the South Okanagan General Hospital experienced 15 closures, significantly impacting health care access during peak tourist seasons. As the holiday season approaches, the pressure intensifies, with the paramedics’ union reporting over 100 ER closures this year.

Madeline Csillag-Wong, executive director of clinical operations for Interior Health, pointed out the severe housing shortages for traveling health-care providers, stating, “Oliver is a beautiful place to live and work, but it is extremely difficult to find available housing during peak times.”

Officials are hopeful that these new modular homes, set for completion by March 2026, will stabilize emergency services in the region. However, experts agree that while this is a positive step, it is only part of a broader solution.

Tracy St. Claire, executive director of the South Okanagan Division of Family Practice, noted the need for better incentives for rural physicians, highlighting that “physicians are on call 24/7,” making work-life balance crucial for recruitment.

In the face of ongoing challenges, residents and officials are eager to see this project come to fruition, viewing it as a vital step in ensuring their community’s health care system remains operational.

As the situation develops, the focus remains on how these homes will impact the staffing crisis and what further actions will be needed to ensure comprehensive healthcare access for all residents.