Interior Health has formed a local task force to work together on improving the stability and reliability of emergency department (ED) services at 100 Mile District General Hospital (OMH).
The task force includes representatives from local government, Indigenous communities, the Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District, and the Division of Family Practice. Through ongoing meetings, partners are working together on immediate and longer-term actions to support consistent access to emergency care in 100 Mile House.
Based on a review of current staffing pressures, hospital use and physician coverage, the task force is moving forward with several priority actions:
- Exploring a trial of virtual physician support for the emergency department. Planning work is underway to assess how a virtual model could safely support local care needs and help reduce service interruptions while supporting physician workload and retention.
- Reviewing emergency department scheduling options beyond the current 12-hour shifts, including the possible use of eight-hour shifts, along with the supports and training needed to improve staffing flexibility.
- Improving access to same-day primary care in the community. About half of patients currently visiting the emergency department have non-urgent or semi-urgent needs that may be better treated in a primary care setting. Expanding same-day care access could help reduce pressure on the emergency department and improve patient flow.
- Increasing physician recruitment efforts, including targeted recruitment of U.S.-trained physicians to strengthen long-term emergency coverage, to build on recruitment efforts already underway.
- Expanding the existing health-care landing program in 100 Mile House to support recruitment and retention through housing assistance, relocation support, and community integration.
100 Mile House currently has 13 local physicians working in private clinics. About half provide emergency department coverage, with remaining shifts filled by visiting physicians. Local doctors also support care in clinics, long-term care, and hospital services across the community.
The task force will continue working closely with local and visiting physicians to develop practical staffing solutions that support physician wellness and help build a more stable and sustainable health-care system in 100 Mile House.
While this work is moving forward, staffing shortages remain a challenge, particularly during peak vacation periods such as the summer months.
Interior Health will continue working with partners to improve staffing stability at OMH and support reliable emergency care for the community. Updates will continue to be shared as planning and implementation work progresses.
