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Media Contacts

Jen Holmwood

Deputy Communications Director
Office of the Premier
250 818-4881

Ministry of Health

Communications
250 952-1887 (media line)

Backgrounders

What people are saying about B.C.'s new primary health-care strategy

Dr. Trina Larsen Soles, president, Doctors of BC –

“B.C. physicians welcome the promise to hire more doctors and other health professionals to give us more of the supports we need to provide comprehensive primary care services to the people of British Columbia. Networking with other professionals will allow doctors to focus more on direct patient care, enhancing the physician-patient relationship. The bottom line is doctors went into medicine to look after patients, and the more we can work together to accomplish this, the better the results will be for all of us.”

Fiona Hutchison, president, British Columbia Nurse Practitioner Association –

“We support government’s actions to increase access to team-based primary care. We’re thrilled that nurse practitioners will start to play an increased role in helping British Columbians get the health care they need.”

Val Avery, president, Health Sciences Association –

“We know that a team approach to health care means that people get all the necessary support they need – from dietitians to physiotherapists, music therapists to psychologists, respiratory therapists to social workers – and that highly trained health science professionals like these will collaborate with doctors and nurse practitioners to provide the best care for each individual. This is a step in the right direction for the health care of all British Columbians.”

Grey Showler, president, BC Association of Community Health Centres –

“The BC Association of Community Health Centres is very pleased that the provincial government is making these important commitments to improve our primary health-care system, and address critical gaps in access to care for British Columbians. In particular, the support for community health centres recognizes the contributions to health, and cost effectiveness of community-based primary health care and social services that support the wellness of individuals and families across their life spans. We look forward to working to ensure that team-based primary care is readily available when and where British Columbians need it.”

Christina Krause, chief executive officer, BC Patient Safety & Quality Council –

“We are pleased to see that there is meaningful patient engagement, and inclusion of the patient voice, within this strategy. By working together, we can improve the quality of care provided within our primary care system, realize better health outcomes and experiences, and build a sustainable public health-care system that puts the patient at the centre of their care.”