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Backgrounders

Facts about the White Rock primary care network

According to BC Stats data, the White Rock - South Surrey primary care network will support a combined population of approximately 115,000. Services will be available in all areas of White Rock and South Surrey.  

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, even on evenings and weekends.

New resources being allocated include:

  • 17.25 full-time equivalent (FTE) registered nurses
  • seven FTE allied health professionals  
  • two FTE mental health clinicians
  • one FTE primary care access clinic general practitioners (0.5 FTE each)
  • one FTE pharmacist

 

 

What people are saying about primary care networks

Dr. Victoria Lee, president and CEO, Fraser Health –

“By working with our partners in White Rock-South Surrey, we are better able to co-ordinate health services and streamline care to support people to manage their health, avoid unnecessary hospital visits and remain healthy and independent for as long as possible. Having a primary care network in White Rock-South Surrey provides patients with more care options and helps attach them to ongoing and consistent primary care services.”

Dr. Tahmeena Ali, board chair, White Rock - South Surrey Division of Family Practice –

"The Division of Family Practice of White Rock/South Surrey strives to make it easy for our physician members to provide quality, accessible and comprehensive care for our patients. The commitment to primary care across our region in recent months is unprecedented. We are jubilant to be part of the latest wave of communities to offer enhanced primary care to keep our community healthy and to ensure when medical care is needed, it is done with ease for both patients and providers." 


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.”  

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

 “The Association of the Nurses and Nurse Practitioners of BC 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."