Photo: Dr Denise McLeod, former UHNBC MSA president

"My husband and I are both physicians, work nights and weekends, and have three children; I am grateful that we have a Northern Health priority after-school program spot at the YMCA for our oldest son, otherwise I would not have been able to return to work from maternity leave. This program has certainly helped our family, and has helped my husband and me continue to work full time." - Dr Natasha Pascas, UHNBC physician

When members of the University Hospital of Northern British Columbia (UHNBC) Medical Staff Association (MSA) identified a lack of childcare as a barrier to staying in the community, former MSA president Dr Denise McLeod saw the need to act.

In 2022, she approached the Northern Health Authority with data from a member survey and compelling personal examples – such as the story of one obstetrician whose inability to find child care meant she stopped working in Prince George. Dr McLeod proposed they set up a daycare for medical staff and other health care providers who were experiencing the same challenges.

While the timing wasn’t right for such an investment, Dr McLeod drew on the experiences of medical staff in Terrace and Fort St. John to continue to highlight the importance of childcare for recruitment and retention. With the support of Facility Engagement (FE), Dr McLeod met with representatives from Northern Health, medical staff, and the local YMCA to find a different solution. 

The solution

Her persistence paid off. In 2023, the MSA embarked on a pilot project with Northern Health and community partners to secure priority childcare seats for University Hospital of Northern BC medical staff at their local YMCA.

The pilot created a number of priority seats over a period of three years, with 11 seats allocated for the first year. The cost was $18,000 per year, of which Northern Health agreed to cover half. To make up the remaining funds, the MSA held fundraising events and received many donations from medical staff themselves, in addition to contributions from community organizations and local businesses.

Impacts

Now in its final year, the project has achieved its goals, reducing physicians’ stress and increasing their availability. Benefits include the flexibility to return from parental leave sooner, pick up additional shifts, and even expand their scope of practice, assisting family physicians and providing inpatient care.

Northern Health’s support demonstrates their recognition of physicians’ efforts and needs. Physicians have said they feel valued, heard, and supported, for which they’re grateful. Ultimately, this project supports recruitment and retention by helping medical staff with children to move to and remain in the community.

Dr McLeod will engage with Northern Health to discuss options to sustain the program going forward.

Key takeaways and lessons learned

• Use data to support the case for your proposed solution.
• Engage your community in providing solutions.
• The Facility Engagement project administrator’s support was key to coordination and fundraising.
• Work with a local organization, e.g., YMCA, to reduce the administration involved in receiving direct donations.
• Practice persistence and patience.

“A 'no' today is not a 'no' forever, and if the idea is important, we [must] do our best to talk, negotiate, and understand the barriers at play…. Persistence, looking at what other facilities were doing, and having the data to back up the need and potential positive impact for physicians were all key to being successful.”— Dr Denise McLeod, past MSA president