WHEREAS the current models of healthcare delivery in the province of BC do not provide equitable local access to health care for residents in rural and small communities; AND WHEREAS the health needs of small and rural communities are no less important than those of the larger population centres: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the provincial government through the Ministry of Health work in concert with the local health authorities to develop and fund sustainable health care models tailored to ensure the delivery of adequate health care to all of the residents of the province.
Ministry of Health The Province is committed to ensuring residents of rural British Columbia have access to all levels of health care, no matter where they live. The Province recognizes the challenges faced by families in rural communities around accessing services and care, including emergency care, obtaining a family physician, and other health services. The Ministry of Health funds a comprehensive combination of incentives to encourage health care professionals to both live and work in rural areas, and to help sustain services in rural and remote communities. The Province has also followed up on a commitment made in the summer of 2011 to provide 10 million in funding to benefit rural communities and ensure reliable public access to emergency services. The Province, along with the BC Medical Association worked in partnership on this program. As a result, to date, families in 36 rural communities across British Columbia have benefited from strengthened public access to emergency services. As well, health authorities are developing telehealth and other technology-based service delivery models that will provide services locally, by linking with health care providers in other communities. Where travel for families is unavoidable, government has developed programs and services to assist families, such as: Travel Assistance Program, Health Connections and the British Columbia Family Residence program.