What is A GP for Me?

A GP for Me (formerly the Attachment initiative) and relevant billing codes were launched in April 2013.  They are funded through the Family Practice Services Committee, a partnership between the BC Ministry of Health and Doctors of BC. A GP for Me aims to:

1. Confirm and strengthen the GP-patient continuous relationship and better support the needs of vulnerable patients in our community.
2. Better support and reward family physicians who are committed to deliver long-term care for their patients.
3. Increase the capacity of the local primary health care system.
4. Enable patients who want a family doctor to find one. 

Physicians in local divisions of family practice lead this work to ensure residents of their community have access to the benefits of primary care. Because the work will be done at the community level, this access may look different in each community, depending on the needs in that region.

Three BC divisions prototyped the Attachment initiative: Cowichan Valley, Prince George Division, and White Rock-South Surrey. The Nanaimo Division will incorporate lessons learned from these communities into our work plan.

We are committed to supporting the goals of A GP for Me and have recently received funding for phase one of the project – Assessment and Planning – which runs until the end of March 2015. In addition, the work is supported by the Collaborative Services Committee, Doctors of BC, and the Ministry of Health.

In the coming months, we hope to deepen partnerships and engagement with community groups and patients. More information will follow as the project planning progresses. If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact A GP for Me Project Manager, Erin Hemmens, or Executive Coordinator, Leslie Keenan.
 

Nanaimo A GP for Me Advisory Committee

Back row from left to right:  
Sherry Coutts: Integrated Primary Community Care, Island Health
Dr Melissa Oberholster, MD (GP): Co-Chair/Physician Lead, A GP for Me
Dr Beth Hepburn, MD (GP)
Julie Holder: Physician  Engagement Lead, Divisions of Family Practice & Doctors of BC
Lori Wagar: Project Evaluator
Dr Steve Beerman, MD (GP)
 

Front row from left to right:
Myla Yeomans-Routledge: Program Coordinator, Physician Recruitment & Retention, Nanaimo Division of Family Practice
Erin Hemmens: Project Manager, A GP for Me, Nanaimo Division of Family Practice 
Dr Laura Barron, MD (GP)

Not pictured:
Jan Tatlock: Director, Public Health, Island Health & Co-Chair, A GP for Me
Dr Eric Grantner, MD (Hospitalist)
Dr Sarah Yager, Resident
Dr Marc Paris, MD (ERP)
Leslie Keenan: Executive Director, Nanaimo Division of Family Practice
Phil Lawrence: Director, Island Health
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A GP for Me Current Updates: Learn More >