The hours of care aides in Forest View extended care wing at Dr. Helmcken Memorial Hospital have been reduced from 10 full-time equivalents to eight, according to Berni Easson, community integration health services administrator for Thompson-Cariboo rural.
The cutbacks were part of a process called “benchmarking” that has been taking place in healthcare facilities across B.C.
She noted that a RN (registered nurse) has been assigned to the extended care wing on a .8 FTE basis, and that there have been no reductions in licensed practical nurses in the wing.
The benchmarking process is intended to result in a consistent level of care across the province, Easson explained.
Clearwater had additional staff above the average and so had to cut back.
Healthcare facilities in other locations, which had been staffed below the average, saw their numbers increase.
No local jobs were lost in the process, although one person went from permanent to casual.
All the changes, including adjustments to shifts and other routines, were done in consultation with the staff, Easson said.
“They're just amazing caregivers – always looking at the residents' interests,” she said.
Forest View extended care wing has 21 beds, of which 19 are for permanent residents and two are saved for respite/palliative care.
Tracy Quewezance, regional chairperson for the BC Nurses Union, said she had not been involved in the process and so could not comment on the local situation.
She added, however, that they have seen violence and aggression increase in residential care across the region as benchmarking was rolled out.