BC Gov News

According to BC Stats data, the communities that the primary care network will serve have a combined population of 41,831. Services will be available in Williams Lake, 100 Mile House and several small communities in the Secwepemc, Tsilhqot’in and Dakelh Dene Nations.

Primary care networks mean that patients:

• who do not have a regular primary care provider - a family doctor or nurse practitioner - will be able to get one;
• will have an ongoing relationship with their primary care provider, which is important for their life-long health;
• will get access to faster, more convenient care from their doctor or nurse practitioner and the care team;
• will be provided and connected with a range of appropriate and accessible services and supports;
• will be informed about all aspects of their care in community; and,
• will know where to go to get the care they need, including evenings and weekends.

New resources being allocated include:

• one FTE general practitioner physician.
• 3.75 FTE nurse practitioners.
• 6.9 FTE registered nurses.
• 19.5 FTE allied health professionals:
  • three FTE social workers
  • three dietitians, including 1 FTE at Secwecpemc
  • two FTE physiotherapists
  • two FTE mental health clinicians
  • one FTE traditional wellness co-ordinator
  • one  FTE clinical pharmacist
  • one FTE respiratory therapist
  • one FTE occupational therapist
  • 1.5 FTE allied health professionals at Ulkatcho
  • two FTE Aboriginal patient navigators
  • two FTE primary care mental health counsellors

Dr. Doug Cochrane, board chair, Interior Health –

“Partnerships with Aboriginal communities and the division of family practice are foundational to our approach to building and sustaining a system of strong, culturally safe health services in the Central Interior rural region and across Interior Health. By working together with our partners, including the Tsilhqot’in, UIkatcho and Secwepemc nations, we know the primary care network will reflect the unique cultural and health-care needs of the communities they serve.”

Central Interior Rural Primary Care Network Steering Committee (which includes Central Interior Rural Division of Family Practice, Tsilhqot’in First Nation, UIkatcho First Nation, Secwepemc First Nation, First Nations Health Authority, local health care professionals, and Interior Health) –

“The partners of the PCN are excited to see years of hard work and collaboration come to fruition with a substantial amount of resources coming to our region. These resources will connect more patients with primary care services through team-based care and additional primary care providers.”

Michael Sandler, executive director, Nurses and Nurse Practitioners of BC –

“The Association of the Nurses and Nurse Practitioners of B.C. is pleased that the knowledge, skills and expertise of the entire health-care team will improve access to health care for British Columbians through the new primary care networks. We believe that this approach will be pivotal in ensuring B.C. families feel connected to their health-care team and we are excited to see the launch of primary care networks in B.C.”

Dr. Kathleen Ross, president, Doctors of BC –

“The best health-care systems in the world have strong primary care and we hope that the primary care network initiative provides additional needed resources to doctors serving their community, especially those that strengthen longitudinal care in these pandemic times. A primary care network will collectively increase a community’s capacity to provide greater access to primary care for those who need it, especially for vulnerable patients and those with complex health conditions.”