One of the key recommendations of the BC Care Providers Association (BCCPA) 2009 Action Plan was to reallocate new client user fee revenue to increased residential care staffing. Happily BC Health Minister Kevin Falcon agreed and those funds are starting to role out across the province.
BCCPA has confirmed that the Fraser Health Authority (FHA) will allocate $12 million this year for 43 facilities. This will increase to $20 million next year. The Vancouver Coastal Health Authority (VCHA) will reallocate $8.5 million for each of the next two years and we are hoping for similar confirmations from the other BC health authorities.
In the case of FHA, this new funding is being introduced in association with a new funding model - based in large part on the current Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA) model. This has created some concerns for contracted FHA care providers.
BCCPA officials met FHA last week to discuss the model and share perspective from the VIHA experience - particularly as it relates the treatment of capital costs and investment. FHA has agreed to engage care providers directly to get their views and will host a meeting August 3 at Surrey's Elim Village.
