Whereas there is a widespread shortage of physicians across BC; And whereas many cities within British Columbia are experiencing significant population growth resulting in corresponding pressure on healthcare services; And whereas a networked approach to healthcare is both more efficient and effective for our communities, especially in the form of Patient Care Networks; And whereas, despite many years of work and investment by local communities and Divisions of Family Practice, the Provinces commitment to Population-Based Funding has slowed or stalled, without an alternative funding model to replace it: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM calls upon the provincial government to maintain its commitment to the Population-Based Funding model and to enhance its investment in Patient Care Networks or provide alternative approaches with opportunities for input by local governments in British Columbia.
Ministry of Health The Ministry also shares UBCMs commitment to a networked and team-based approach to primary care delivery, while ensuring that adequate resources are in place to deal with population growth, evolving health needs and corresponding pressure on healthcare services. In 201819 our government launched a provincial team-based primary care strategy to improve access to comprehensive, culturally safe, relationship-based primary care. We are adding new service capacity in the short term through a variety of different clinical models, while laying the groundwork to fundamentally transform the way services are organized and delivered over the long term through Primary Care Networks PCNs. As of July 2022, 1,220 full-time equivalents FTEs have been recruited and deployed across all provincial primary care initiatives; 56 PCNs have been implemented with a number of additional PCNs currently in planning. We intend to continue developing and implementing PCNs over the next several years until they fully cover the geography of our province. Additionally, the Ministry has been working with Doctors of BC to develop a new compensation model for family physicians, which was announced on October 31, 2022. We are pleased to advise that, in addition to compensating for time direct care, indirect care, clinical teaching, clinical administration and encounters, a portion of the earnings for family physicians under this model will be for the size and complexity of their patient panels. We look forward to continuing to work collaboratively with our health system partners, including municipalities, on these and other solutions going forward.