The demand for rental units in 100 Mile House is so high the Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District (CCRHD) is putting healthcare workers in hotels.
Melissa LaPointe, the Cariboo's healthcare landing coordinator, told the District of 100 Mile House Council this during an update to the healthcare landing program on Sept. 26. According to LaPointe there is only one funded rental unit available for health-care workers in 100 Mile House, despite the high demand for medical professionals.
"The demand is still there - we've had to send people this week twice to a hotel because we're full. We're always at capacity," LaPointe said.
LaPointe has had to pump her breaks and ask Interior Health (IH) for more funding to meet this increased demand.
LaPointe was hired in 2022 as part of a three-year program funded by the CCRHD which has been operating in Williams Lake and 100 Mile House. She remarked that in 100 Mile House, they are supporting a lot of students with housing and airport transportation.
During the update, LaPointe talked about how in the first year of the program they didn't have a clear idea of what they were doing but did notice several gaps, such as accommodations. From year two on they've been busy addressing these gaps.
"Accommodations are a big one, we carry leases on a number of furnished rentals. So, when they're coming - they get referred to us - and we have a master schedule, and we're booking them in," LaPointe told the simplymastery in a phone interview.
In addition, in the interview, she noted that they prefer to use furnished rentals that they have a lease in 100 Mile House, but that at times they have had to use Airbnbs.
Another thing that LaPointe did not anticipate in her role was needing to deal with conflict management involving the health-care professionals.
"We are dealing with people's lives - and with that comes stuff, and there's been some extra time and energy in terms of helping them, whether it's a conflict with a landlord or whether it's a conflict with a neighbour."
LaPointe noted that her contract lasts until the end of this year and she is hopeful the program and her position will be renewed. If it is she said she would like to renegotiate it to better support health-care professionals and nurses, noting the scope of the job continues to grow.
"I proposed that the contract be reassigned to my corporation directly so that we could continue growing, expanding and improving efficiency," said LaPointe.
Finally, she noted she wants to improve communication, as well as recruit and hire a program assistant for 100 Mile House.
"Having specific newsletters, having specific networking events, having a more consistent presence, and having someone who's actually on the ground in 100 Mile that we can work with - that's on the list."
The update elicited comments from the District Council, including from Mayor Maureen Pinkney, who said it was very interesting and that LaPointe could write a book one day on this.
"That says a lot when they come and they like it so much they're like - OK, I'm taking the next opening because I want to go back there, and that's a lot to do with you," Pinkney remarked.
Ultimately, all LaPointe wants to do is to make health professionals feel welcome in 100 Mile House and Williams Lake.
"We're just trying to make it a little bit easier and a little bit more friendly and a little bit more memorable whenever they're coming - to visit or when they're coming here long term, we want them to stay and feel comfortable and feel welcomed."
With files from Monica Lamb-Yorski and Alexander Vaz.
