VICTORIA - The Ministry of Health and the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) have appointed a new expert advisory panel and primary leader to ensure BC Cancer has the best governance structures and accountability measures in place to achieve the goals set by the Province’s 10-year action plan.

Dr. Kim Chi, chief medical officer for BC Cancer, will take on primary leadership of BC Cancer as executive vice president and chief medical officer, BC Cancer. Dr. Chi will also become a member of the PHSA executive leadership team.

"We are on a path of tremendous opportunity for cancer care in B.C.," said Dr. Chi, chief medical officer and executive vice president, BC Cancer. "The collective knowledge and global experience of the expert advisory panel that we will be able to draw upon is very exciting for the advancement of cancer care systems and cancer care patient treatment in British Columbia. This is our time to make monumental leaps on behalf of our patients, their families and for those in the future."

Panel members include, with additional members to be confirmed in the coming weeks:

• Professor Mark Britnell (chair), Global Business School for Health, University College, London; adjunct professor, Sandra Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto; and board member, King's Fund
• Professor Dorothy Keefe, PSM, MD, chief executive officer, Cancer Australia
• Dr. Craig Earle, MD, chief executive officer, Canadian Partnership Against Cancer

"I am confident that Dr. Chi and the new expert advisory panel of leading cancer specialists will further strengthen our cancer care system and services for the patients who depend on it," said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health.  "Since we launched the 10-year cancer action plan earlier this year to meet existing and increasing demand for cancer care, we have introduced improved compensation for cancer care teams and recruited needed cancer care professionals to strengthen patient health-care services."

Expanding B.C.'s teams of experts will support the continuing implementation of the Province's 10-year cancer care action plan to better prevent, detect and treat cancers today, and to meet growing future demand.

"I am optimistic the Province's recent investments in research, technology and innovation made through the new 10-year cancer plan, will improve cancer care in B.C. and deliver more innovative, evidence-based care for people when and where they need it," said Dr. David Byres, president and CEO of the Provincial Health Services Authority. "We are harnessing the benefit of BC Cancer's ambitious mandate and establishing a system-wide approach across the health-care system to improve cancer care today, and into the future."

To increase capacity and keep up with demand over the long-term, the Province is adding new cancer centres in Surrey, Burnaby, Nanaimo and Kamloops, upgrading and expanding existing hospital space throughout the province, including the addition of net new diagnostic imaging equipment, and expanding the cancer care workforce by hiring new physicians and clinical support staff through the province's Health Human Resources Strategy.

Quick facts:

• In 2021, more than 30,000 people in B.C. were newly diagnosed with cancer. B.C.'s population is expected to increase by 12% between 2024 and 2034, from 5.4 million to approximately 6 million. This is expected to increase new cancer diagnoses from 30,000 annually to 45,000 new cancer diagnoses annually in 2034.
• Since 2017, B.C. has committed more than $1 billion to support the creation of a strong and sustainable cancer-care system.
• In addition, B.C.'s Cancer Care Action Plan includes an initial investment of $440 million to support immediate steps to better prevent, detect and treat cancers, deliver improved care for people while preparing for the growing needs of the future.
• The immediate focus of the Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, BC Cancer, the Executive Steering Committee, including its subsidiary working groups, and the expert advisory panel will be:
• Improve patients' timely access to cancer care across the health system, from prevention, primary care, diagnosis, consultation treatment and survivorship,
• Accelerate recruitment of health care workers and medical staff,
• Increase direct engagement with staff and support staff wellness, and
• Continue to advance the goals of the Cancer Action Plan.

Learn More:

To learn more about B.C.'s 10-year cancer plan, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2023HLTH0012-000229

To learn more about B.C.'s health human resource plan, visit: https://strongerbc.gov.bc.ca/health-care/ 

BC Cancer, a program of the Provincial Health Services Authority, is committed to reducing the incidence of cancer, reducing the mortality from cancer and improving the quality of life of those living with cancer. It provides a comprehensive cancer control program for the people of British Columbia by working with community partners to deliver a range of oncology services, including prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment, research, education, supportive care, rehabilitation and palliative care. For more information, visit www.bccancer.bc.ca or follow us on Twitter @BCCancer.

The Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) provides specialized health care services and programs to communities across British Columbia, the territories of many distinct First Nations. We are grateful to all the First Nations who have cared for and nurtured this land for all time, including the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), and səlil̓w̓ətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) First Nations on whose unceded and ancestral territory our head office is located. We work in partnership with other B.C. health authorities and the provincial government to deliver province-wide solutions that improve the health of British Columbians. For more information, visit www.phsa.ca or follow us @PHSAofBC.

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