Transport - RCCbc

The Transport initiative conducts research and advocacy on emergency medical transport in rural British Columbia. The group collaborates with rural physicians, the BC Ministry of Health, health authorities and communities to find ways to improve emergency medical transport to improve rural patients’ health outcomes.

Images courtesy of BC Emergency Health Services.

Achievements

Engaged with Rural Health Providers on Transport Issues

In 2024, the Transport Initiative continued to host meetings with an expanded membership, creating space for rural health providers to share experiences and raise concerns about specific emergency transport challenges. These gatherings also serve as opportunities for the team and participants to co-develop strategies to address the issues raised—and to support the individuals who bring them forward. In addition, the meetings provide a platform to share updates on research projects and to discuss both provincial and national transport-related initiatives. One example is the team’s involvement in the Provincial Interfacility Transfer Partnership Committee (PITPC), which allows the rural perspective to inform system-wide improvements. This engagement also helps maintain strong connections with BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) and Health Authority transport representatives, fostering continued collaboration and knowledge exchange.

Explored Collaborations to Access Transport Data

During 2024, RCCbc explored multiple collaborations to enhance access to specific transport data. This includes partnerships with First Nations Health Authority (FNHA), the Data Analytics Subgroup, and Data Informatics Group. The Data Analytics Subgroup plays a key role in establishing data linkages for BC ambulance records, providing essential insights into critical timelines in the rural patient transport journey. Ongoing efforts are focused on validating and sharing this data to inform and improve healthcare system outcomes.

Developed Community-Focused Discussions Around Transport

The Transport initiative team played a key role in the Rural Voices Gathering, contributing to both the development of discussion topics and the design of the sessions. Several partner groups focused on transport during the Gathering, emphasizing the need for improved infrastructure, strong community partnerships, and recognition of transport needs beyond emergency services. Moving forward, the initiative aims to expand its perspective on transport and explore RCCbc’s role in policy development and advocacy.

Making a Difference

During a bi-annual in-person gathering of RCCbc Core members, the Transport initiative facilitated a discussion on rural transport solutions, which generated strong interest and engagement amongst physicians, health leaders and the RCCbc team.

The team continues to advance the work of the Transport Perspective Table, co-led by RCCbc and Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA)/BCEHS. This group has received strong endorsement as a vital forum for navigating the complexities of rural transport challenges.

During the Rural Voices Gathering, the Northern Health Connection bus was highlighted as an innovative solution addressing the travel barriers rural patients face when accessing care in other communities. RCCbc is currently in discussions with Northern Health to explore how this model could be adapted, expanded, and scaled to support broader needs.

Plans for the Future

In the next year, the Transport team anticipates significant opportunities to engage in system change around rural transport. Current relationships within the transport community are solid and the initiative has the chance to add support staff with broad experience to engage in project planning for the immediate future.

The work of the Transport group’s Data Analytics Subgroup provides the information and evidence needed to leverage action. Active collaboration with FNHA is key to the team’s work, comparing data gathered from First Nation communities with data generated from within PHSA and BCEHS. This data is used to compare and contrast health outcomes across populations, and guide partners across the care spectrum to potential solutions to reduce holistic and material costs to patients and address the differing health outcomes for Indigenous patients, as identified in #19 in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls for Action.