Doctors say B.C. Supreme Court ruling on foreign-trained doctors a ‘blow’ for rural health care

Doctors are speaking out after the B.C. Supreme Court ruled the province can’t force foreign-trained doctors to work in “underserviced” areas

“It’s another nail in the coffin of rural health care,” said Charles Helm, a semi-retired physician who has worked in Tumbler Ridge — a small community in B.C.’s Peace Region — for more than 30 years. 

Currently, doctors trained in non-Canadian schools are required to live and practise in rural or remote locations in the province for two or three years. 

Justice Matthew Kirchner ruled last week the government is not authorized to impose this requirement. 

B.C. Health Minister Ravi Kahlon said legal teams are reviewing the decision and the ministry will do “whatever is required to make sure the program continues to function.”

Helm said it was one of the few programs that provided an advantage for rural communities, many of which he says are in desperate need of doctors. 

“We see the ongoing erosion of our health care and this ruling is just going to be another in a series of events which make it harder for us to try and recruit and retain physicians.” 

Helm said three years ago, his community had four doctors, one of whom came through the foreign-trained doctor program. 

Today, only one remains.

“This is absolutely catastrophic,” said Helm. “It’s another blow for rural health care.” 

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Paul Adams, the executive director of the B.C. Rural Health Network, said last week’s ruling will have a significant impact on remote communities across the province — many of which are reliant on the program to fill positions.

“It is an essential program,” he said. 

“We can’t keep pushing people further to the edge, we need to actually reach those people as a priority.” 

Alternative solutions

In the short term, Helm said incentives should be offered to doctors who move to and work in rural and remote areas. 

Helm said working in rural health care is fulfilling, adding that the province needs to highlight this to potential incoming doctors as part of a long-term solution. 

“To me, rural health care is what it’s all about,” he said. 

“It’s the most rewarding … and I’ve never understood why we don’t have a long lineup of doctors wanting to work here.” 

Adams said there is no one-stop shop solution to the lack of health care in remote communities, but certain steps can be taken. 

He said the government could focus on expanding health-care teams in rural communities, including utilizing nurse practitioners.

“There’s a lot of work to do,” said Adams. “I think we need to think outside of the current box.”