Planning for future health services in the Sea to Sky region
Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) is planning for the future in the fast-growing Sea to Sky region, with an aim to maintain and improve access to safe, high-quality health care now and in the years to come.
The plan, called Health Vision Sea to Sky, will address health and wellness needs as well as future population growth, seasonal population fluctuations and aging projections for First Nations and for the Squamish, Whistler and Pemberton areas.
The first phase of the Sea to Sky engagement sought input from the public to help inform the vision for the future of acute, long-term care and community services in the Sea to Sky corridor.
VCH heard from First Nations representatives, people living and working in the Sea to Sky region, key community partners, health-care staff and medical staff on the critical gaps and challenges around health-care services in the Sea to Sky corridor, as well as future priorities and opportunities. VCH engaged with six First Nations in the Sea to Sky region including Squamish, Lil’wat, Skatin, N’Quatqua, Xa’xtsa and Samahquam.
Engagement took place in Tipella, Xa’xtsa Douglas First Nation. Pictured above is the Xa’xtsa Douglas First Nation Band office.
12,469
Mailouts to households
1,211
Online survey responses from the public
20
participants from 11 organizations took part in interviews and focus groups
100+
posters at key community locations
Gaps and challenges identified
- Wait times to access urgent or emergency care
- Access to specialized care
- Access to diagnostic imaging
- Local capacity and options for long-term care
- Access to primary care
Priorities identified
- Address the growing demands on the corridor’s health services
- Address local service delivery gaps
- Increase connectivity and expand on the ways of accessing health services in the corridor
- Consider the co-location of services wherever possible
- Devise better ways to meet First Nations communities’ distinct needs
Extensive engagement will result in a high-level plan
This extensive engagement will result in a high-level plan that will address health and wellness needs for the Sea to Sky corridor for the next five to 10 years and beyond. To learn more about the engagement process and to stay up-to-date on the future of health care in the Sea to Sky corridor, visit the Health Vision Sea to Sky website.
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