Earlier this year, the Provincial Inter- and Intra-Health Authority Relocation (IIHAR) working group received the PHSA+ Award for Excellence in Patient/Client and Family-Centered Care. Formed in response to the 2021 wildfire evacuations, this working group has collaborated to identify key areas for improvement, aiming to enhance preparedness for the growing need for health care facility evacuations driven by climate change.
Guided by Health Emergency Management BC (HEMBC), the IIHAR working group developed a comprehensive toolkit that supports health authorities in managing all stages of relocation—including preparation, evacuation, transportation, reception, and repatriation—with a patient-centred, culturally safe, and risk-based approach. To date, the toolkit has been successfully implemented across all B.C. health authorities and adapted for use by external partners.
"By sharing resources like the IIHAR toolkit and fostering a culture of cooperation, we strengthen our collective resilience against climate-related disasters, safeguarding the health and well-being of communities worldwide," says working group co-lead, project & initiatives manager, HEMBC Lower Mainland, Nicole Spence.
"Moving forward, we need unity, innovation, and a commitment to bridging gaps in emergency preparedness, ensuring no facility or community is left vulnerable as climate threats escalate," says working group member and manager for VCH-PHC, HEMBC Lower Mainland, Maddy Laberge.
Congratulations to the IIHAR working group on their Excellence in Patient/Client and Family-Centered Care PHSA+ Award!
The PHSA+ Awards are part of an internal recognition program that celebrates teams and individuals who bring our purpose, vision, values and Coast Salish teachings to life in the workplace. They go above and beyond to serve patients and families across B.C.
