VMDAS/VPSA board and staff meet regularly with VCH senior leaders to develop a collaborative relationship between medical staff and the health authority. Issues raised by members were brought to the September meeting along with updates on other matters.
VA/VC medical staff orientation event
VCH’s Manager, Provider Strategic Initiatives & Experience, Vancouver Acute Laura McEvoy reported on the inaugural VCH medical staff orientation event, which will happen September 16. The intent had been to make this a regional event; to overcome delays, the September orientation will be for VA and VC medical staff only.
Medical staff who have join our communities of care since July 2023 were invited, with approximately 45 intending to attend. (Many others expressed interest but noted they had a conflict with their clinical schedules.) They will have the opportunity to meet with representatives from VCH’s legal team, along with representatives from EDI, Indigenous Health, Planetary Health, and Wellness groups. They will learn about research and QI opportunities, ask questions of our CST Education Provider team, and meet with VCH’s senior leadership.
In the words of VA’s Co-Senior Medical Director Dr. Vinay Dhingra, “You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression.” He emphasized how important it is for new staff to have the opportunity to learn about all that VCH has to offer and to feel part of the organization.
Medical staff orientations are expected to become annual events; there is an expectation that future meetings will be mandatory, with medical staff renumerated for their time. This year’s orientation is sponsored by VPSA and the VGH + UBC Hospital Foundation.
VPSA recruitment and retention funding
VMDAS/VPSA President Dr. Ka Wai Cheung reminded everyone that the Facility Engagement Initiative now allows MSAs to fund recruitment and retention initiatives. She intends to raise this again at the next VMAC meeting.
Department and division heads can apply for funding and VPSA has tried to make the process as simple as possible. VPSA will fund a broad range of initiatives that pertain to recruitment and retention, such as creating marketing materials for recruitment or award celebrations to assist with retention.
VPSA has worked with VCH’s Talent Acquisition team to ensure that it is not duplicating or conflicting with the health authority’s plans.
VGH parking concerns
A VPSA member who holds a parking pass raised their concern about the difficulty of finding parking after 8:30 am in the VGH lot on 12th Avenue. More spots have now been assigned to patients and visitors. The member since approached the parking administration office and learned that physicians are allowed to park in the patient and visitor spots.
The parking team is evaluating the situation to see if too many spaces have been allocated to patients and visitors and to determine the number of staff who are using these spots.
VA Vice President Michelle de Moor noted that VGH staff have additional parking opportunities at City Square that is available 24/7. Members who have been on a waiting list for parking at VGH may wish to reach out to parking administration to inquire about this.
After hours food availability at VGH
Another VPSA member requested the association address their concern about the lack of food available to staff who work evenings or overnight, given that the cafeteria is closed then. There is a healthy food vending machine next to the Emergency Department, but it often does not work. VPSA has requested that a vending machine be available close to the cafeteria that VCH Food Services could stock. VPSA has learned that VCH intends to run such a service at Lions Gate Hospital on a trial basis. VPSA will do a straw poll at its September 13 VGH lunch to try to get a sense of how many members would use a similar option.
Vice President de Moor committed to advocating for more options, as well as to investigating why the vending machine next to the ED is not always operational.
VCH Violence Prevention collaboration with VPSA
Dr. Cheung has met with VCH’s Violence Prevention team, which can assist staff in dealing with unprovoked violent incidents. These can range from verbal abuse to physical assaults. The VA committee meets once a month and a regional team every two months via Zoom. They are hoping to recruit a physician member.
The team offers violence prevention sessions that can be customized to departments and divisions. VPSA is working with the group to create communications about what types of workshops are available.
VPSA collaborations with RMD Substance Use Dr. Rupi Brar
VPSA has reached out to Dr. Barr to see how it can engage with her regarding addiction concerns. Many physicians to not know what to do and are eager to learn ways to treat patients in the best way possible.
A list of educational resources has been compiled and has been approved by VCH Communications. It is currently being reviewed by VPSA’s Substance Use Disorder Patient and Provider Experience Task Group to ensure it aligns with its goals.
Next meeting
The group next meets on October 10. If you have an item you wish to be brought forward at these meetings, please contact VPSA Operations Director Andrew Pinfold.