Key Takeaways
- The British Columbia government has completed the first steps of a review of the health authorities, aimed at reducing administrative costs and improving efficiencies.
- The review has already led to the elimination of 1,100 positions, which is expected to save over $60 million annually that can be redirected to frontline care.
- A new standalone shared services organization will be established to deliver administrative and corporate services to all health authorities, allowing them to focus on delivering high-quality care.
- The consolidation of administrative and corporate services is expected to remove bottlenecks, reduce redundancies, and improve supports, while also encouraging innovation and the sharing of ideas.
- The changes will position the health system to better support frontline services and leverage economies of scale to secure better pricing and contracts.
Introduction to the Review
The British Columbia government has taken a significant step towards improving the healthcare system in the province. The first steps of a review of the health authorities have been completed, which included reducing administrative costs and improving efficiencies. The review, which was launched in March 2025, aimed to identify areas where the healthcare system could be improved and made more efficient. According to Josie Osborne, Minister of Health, the review is essential to ensure that the healthcare system can keep pace with the growing and complex needs of the people in British Columbia. The minister emphasized that the review is focused on hearing directly from healthcare workers and identifying ways to make the system more efficient.
Engagement with Healthcare Workers
The review has been a comprehensive process, with significant engagement from healthcare workers across the province. During the engagement period, approximately 20,000 healthcare workers attended town halls, and more than 15,000 workers completed surveys in support of the review. This level of engagement has provided valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities facing the healthcare system. The feedback from healthcare workers has been instrumental in shaping the recommendations and changes that are being implemented as a result of the review. By engaging directly with healthcare workers, the government has been able to gain a deeper understanding of the issues facing the system and identify areas where improvements can be made.
Consolidation of Administrative and Corporate Services
One of the key changes resulting from the review is the consolidation of administrative and corporate services across regional health authorities and the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA). The functions will be delivered through a new standalone shared services organization that will support all health authorities, allowing them to focus more on delivering high-quality care to patients. The new organization will be established by spring 2026, and services will gradually transition to the new organization over time. This consolidation is expected to remove bottlenecks, reduce redundancies, and improve supports, while also encouraging innovation and the sharing of ideas. By consolidating administrative and corporate services, the Province will be able to leverage economies of scale to secure better pricing and contracts, shifting from five separate processes to a coordinated provincial approach.
Benefits of the Consolidation
The consolidation of administrative and corporate services is expected to have numerous benefits for the healthcare system. By removing duplication and redundancies, the new organization will be able to provide more efficient and effective support to health authorities. This will enable health authorities to focus on delivering high-quality care to patients, rather than being bogged down by administrative tasks. The consolidation will also allow the Province to better support frontline services, which is critical to ensuring that patients receive the care they need. Furthermore, the new organization will be able to encourage innovation and the sharing of ideas, which will help to strengthen the healthcare system as a whole.
Impact on the Provincial Health Services Authority
The consolidation of administrative and corporate services will also have an impact on the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA). By consolidating these services, PHSA will have a clearer mandate, allowing it to focus on the specialized province-wide services that benefit patients, including cancer care, ambulance services, and pediatric, maternal, and women’s health. This will enable PHSA to provide more effective support to patients and healthcare providers, while also ensuring that the healthcare system is more efficient and effective. The changes will also position PHSA to better support frontline services, which is critical to ensuring that patients receive the care they need.
Interim Expenditure Measures
In addition to the consolidation of administrative and corporate services, the government has also implemented interim expenditure measures to control administrative costs during the review. Since the review launched in March 2025, health authorities have eliminated, closed, or left vacant 1,100 positions. Beginning in 2026-27, this is anticipated to save more than $60 million annually that can be redirected to frontline care. These measures demonstrate the government’s commitment to reducing administrative costs and improving efficiencies in the healthcare system. By redirecting these savings to frontline care, the government can ensure that patients receive the care they need, while also improving the overall efficiency of the healthcare system.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the review of the health authorities in British Columbia has been a comprehensive process that has identified areas for improvement and implemented changes to make the healthcare system more efficient. The consolidation of administrative and corporate services, the elimination of redundant positions, and the redirection of savings to frontline care are all critical steps towards improving the healthcare system. By engaging directly with healthcare workers and listening to their feedback, the government has been able to identify areas where improvements can be made and implement changes that will have a positive impact on patients and healthcare providers. As the review continues, it is likely that further changes will be implemented to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the healthcare system, ensuring that patients in British Columbia receive the high-quality care they deserve.
