WHEREAS there is a severe shortage of general practitioners and family physicians in small British Columbia communities causing an imminent health care provider crisis and the inevitable closure of clinics; And whereas the current crisis jeopardizes the beneficial health outcomes of patients having a primary care practitioner; eliminates the basic health care needs to which every British Columbian has a right; and places an unfair burden on physicians trying to meet the demands; AND WHEREAS the criteria used under the Rural Retention Program for ranking eligible communities and determining incentive levels for physicians only considers remote and rural areas and does not value unique circumstances in small urban communities which is a huge disadvantage for attracting new physicians: Therefore be it resolved that the criteria and classification system used under the Rural Retention Program be expanded to include incentives for physicians in smaller urban communities facing an imminent health care provider crisis.
Ministry of Health The Province of BC is aware of the challenges faced by small urban, rural and remote communities in recruiting and retaining physicians and has therefore negotiated the Rural Practice Subsidiary Agreement RSA with the Doctors of BC to work collaboratively to enhance the availability and stability of services provided by physicians in these communities. A Joint Standing Committee on Rural Issues JSC, which is comprised of representatives of rural physicians of BC, health authorities, the Ministry of Health and the Doctors of BC, has been established under the RSA to develop and oversee the application of a broad range of programs and incentives to help recruit and retain physicians for these communities. The range of different types of programs available under the RSA is intended to address the differing needs and challenges of communities in attracting and retaining physicians, and the amount of support available under many of these programs is specifically tailored to recognize these differences within the funding that is available. The Ministry welcomes opportunities to receive feedback from communities such as Lake Country and will take this resolution forward for discussion at the JSC. The Ministry is also in the preliminary discussions with representatives of a number of communities, including Lake Country, regarding development of new health care funding and compensation models that better support access to patient and family-centred primary care homes.