Island Health Faces Staffing Crisis Amid Overtime Restrictions
Unions Warn Fatigue Policy Worsens Healthcare Shortages
New restrictions on overtime at Vancouver Island’s health district are exacerbating chronic healthcare staffing shortages, according to union leaders. A recently implemented fatigue policy, limiting staff to 16 hours in a 24-hour period, is reportedly leaving units understaffed, impacting patient care and increasing strain on remaining personnel.
Overtime Limits Undermine Care, Say Unions
Union representatives are voicing strong concerns that the policy, intended to reduce injuries and improve rest, is having the opposite effect. Health units are frequently operating with insufficient staff, even when workers are willing to extend their hours. This forces existing employees to cover more ground, potentially compromising patient safety and well-being.
“We don’t want to be relying on overtime as a long term solution,” said Sarah Kooner, president of the Health Sciences Association of B.C. “But our members also know that in the face of chronic staffing shortages, overtime is often the only way to make sure that patients are getting the care that they need.”
—Sarah Kooner, President, Health Sciences Association of B.C.
Kooner also warned of potential long-term financial implications for the healthcare system. Delays in essential services, such as occupational therapy assessments for hospital discharge, can lead to a cascade of issues including delayed admissions and overcrowded emergency departments.
Support and Nursing Staff Also Affected
The Hospital Employees’ Union, representing a wide range of support staff, echoed these sentiments, reporting that members are routinely denied overtime, leaving care teams critically short. Similarly, the B.C. Nurses’ Union is observing a dual impact: nurses are being denied overtime, reducing floor coverage, while support staff are also restricted, forcing nurses to take on additional duties.
“The burnout factor for nurses alone, I would think, would be enough to reconsider the strategy,” said Adriane Gear, president of the B.C. Nurses’ Union.
—Adriane Gear, President, B.C. Nurses’ Union
Financial Pressures Cited in Policy Implementation
Island Health, while not granting interviews, stated in a release that overtime has not been eliminated but is being reviewed to ensure staff well-being. However, the health authority also acknowledged a review of scheduling practices to reduce “premium rates of pay beyond the expected norm,” suggesting cost-cutting as a factor. This comes as Island Health recently laid off 117 employees, with more expected.
An internal memo obtained by CBC News reveals that overtime is now subject to strict approval processes, with blanket denials for certain roles like health care assistants and nursing unit assistants, except in cases of significant impact appealing to senior leadership.
This situation mirrors broader challenges in the Canadian healthcare system. For example, a 2023 report indicated that Canada faces a projected shortage of over 30,000 nurses by 2026, highlighting the systemic nature of staffing difficulties (CIHI 2023).
