Whereas there is a critical lack of medical professionals in smaller rural communities for people who require medical care; And whereas there is inadequate funding to support small to mid-sized communities to attract medical locums: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM lobby the health authorities and the provincial government to further support and evaluate funding or other assistance for placing medical locums in smaller rural communities.
Ministry of Health The Government is committed to providing support to physicians in rural communities in British Columbia. The Joint Standing Committee on Rural Issues JSC is responsible for the overall governance and oversight of the Rural Programs of the Rural Subsidiary Agreement RSA. Physicians in RSA communities may be eligible for a variety of incentives including the Rural Retention program RRP Flat Fee and Fee Premium, Rural Continuing Medical Education RCME, Rural CMPA, Rural Emergency Enhancement Fund REEF, Recruitment Incentive Fund RIF, Recruitment Contingency Fund RCF and the Rural Locum Programs. Locums for Rural BC LRBC administers the Rural Locum Programs on behalf of the JSC, providing subsidized locum coverage for RSA community physicians through three programs: the Rural GP Locum Program RGPLP, Rural Specialist Locum Program RSLP, and the Rural GPA Locum Program RGPALP. Williams Lake specialists are eligible for locum coverage under the RSLP, and have accessed the program for General Surgery, Pediatrics, Radiology and OBGYN in Fiscal 202223. More details on BCs Rural Locum Programs can be found in the following Rural Guide:https:www2.gov.bc.caassetsgovhealthpractitioner-prorural-guide.pdf