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Ratios Timeline

Ratios Save Lives

BC has made significant progress since the initial ratios agreement in 2023.

Minimum
Nurse-to-Patient
Ratios Timeline

March 2026

Phase one of ratios implementation reaches
81% activation

August 2025

A new study of hospital care in BC shows better nurse staffing leads to fewer patients deaths and readmissions and increased patient safety.

September 2024

The Ministry of Health issues a policy directive to health employers providing the framework for phase one ratios implementation. The BC government also finalizes ratios for phase two and commits new nurse retention and recruitment funding.

New staffing incentives come into effect aimed at retaining and recruiting nurses and supporting ratios implementation.

March 2024

The BC government announces the first phase of minimum nurse-to-patient ratios implementation in acute care settings.

October 2023

BC Nurses’ Union leaders meet with MLAs in Victoria, calling on all parties to support minimum nurse-to-patient ratios as a key solution to the nurse staffing crisis.

April 2023

The Nurses' Bargaining Association (NBA) and the Ministry of Health sign an agreement to establish ratios across acute, community and long-term care settings.