BC’s physicians see firsthand both the progress being made in our health care system and the significant challenges that remain. 

With British Columbians heading to the polls on October 24, Doctors of BC has identified four priority areas where action and investment are needed to improve access to care and build a stronger, more sustainable health care system.

1. Address specialist waitlists and shortages

The challenge: Specialist waitlists grew by 10% in just one year, with waits exceeding 12 months in several specialties—delaying necessary care for patients and increasing pressure across the health care system.

What’s needed:

  • A coordinated, province-wide approach to reducing wait times, including implementing waitlist management mechanisms to support specialists.
  • Effective health workforce planning, both regionally and provincially.
  • Better data and improved digital referral processes.
  • The teams, tools, and resources specialists need to provide timely patient care.


2. Ensure British Columbians have access to a family doctor

The challenge: Important progress has been made in attracting physicians to BC and strengthening primary care, but more work is needed, as many British Columbians are still without a family doctor.

What’s needed:

  • Continued recruitment and retention of family physicians.
  • Ongoing support for sustainable longitudinal family practice.
  • Reduced administrative burdens that take physicians away from patient care.
  • The teams and resources family physicians need to provide comprehensive, continuous care.


3. Improve access to emergency care

The challenge: A growing population, workforce shortages, hospital capacity pressures, and gaps across the health care system are putting significant strain on emergency departments. This results in long waits and even temporary closures, making it harder for patients to receive timely care.

What’s needed:

  • Sustained investment to keep emergency departments open and improve timely access to care.
  • Increased hospital and community capacity (e.g. long-term care beds).
  • Improved patient flow throughout hospitals and the broader health care system to reduce bottlenecks and delays.
  • Fewer administrative processes and barriers so physicians can more easily work within and across regions when needed.
  • Front-line physicians and other health professionals at the decision-making table to help develop tangible solutions.


4. Strengthen rural health care and support for rural physicians

The challenge: Physician shortages, temporary emergency department closures, limited access to specialty care, and long distances between services without adequate patient transport put significant pressure on rural and remote communities—and the physicians who serve them.  

What’s needed:

  • Effective recruitment and retention strategies to sustain the rural physician workforce.
  • Reliable core health services in rural and remote communities.
  • Better access to specialists, virtual care supports, and safe, timely medical transport.
  • Rural physicians and communities meaningfully involved in planning services that reflect local needs.

Beyond these four priorities

These four priorities reflect areas requiring focused attention during this election, but they are not exhaustive.

Doctors of BC will continue to advocate on other important issues affecting physicians and patients, including a review of the Health Professions and Occupations Act (HPOA), reducing administrative burdens, improving physician safety, and advancing reconciliation and culturally safe care.