One employee asks us whether Vancouver management positions are subject to reductions, too.

The answer is yes — and no. When it comes to providing quality care and services more efficiently, fewer staff isn’t always the answer. And it’s certainly not in our plans.

Let us explain…

Today’s answered question

Q. Are managerial positions also being reduced along with the cut backs to the front line staff and are ways to reduce costs at the managerial level being considered?

A. As we’ve redesigned services to better meet client and patient needs, we’ve merged teams and portfolios together to report to the same manager, and we’ve reduced management duplication with the leadership regional structure. As a result, Vancouver’s management staffing has declined by four positions from 2012/12 to 2014/15. Because the management team is relatively much smaller in number, this decline is proportionally larger in comparison. In fact, most displaced bargaining unit staff continue to work for VCH.

Going forward, we’ll continue adjusting our Vancouver programs and services to better meet patient/client needs, but this hard work won’t include reducing bargaining staff complements. Changes may result in some staff displacements — staff may work with new teams in new locations — but we don’t anticipate job loss.

All of this holds true for management, too. VCH has among the lowest administration costs of all B.C. health authorities, and this is reflected in the size of our managers’ portfolios. Accreditation Canada has raised this issue, noting the large span of responsibility held by some managers.

For our best and most efficient delivery of care and services, fewer staff isn’t the answer. As Mary Ackenhusen, president and CEO, recently discussed on VCH News Radio (listen to “Straight Talk with Mary Ackenhusen”), the answers to achieving efficiencies while managing workloads won’t be easy, but the answers are within reach through the reallocation of resources, LEAN work and other initiatives.

Got a question?

If you have a question, comment or suggestion, we encourage you to email us what’s on your mind at onevancouver@vch.ca.