2018 December Newsletter

sun peaks - health center.png

Beyond a Family Practice

That’s how Dr. Shane Barclay describes the Sun Peaks Community Health Centre (SPCHC), which opened its doors on December 11, 2017 and has now been open for one year. It’s been a positive year. Dr. Shane Barclay has been working full time at the centre since it opened. Laura Bantock, the Executive Director of the Health Centre, was instrumental in setting up the clinic and is responsible for its continued operations. Dr. Barclay and Laura are joined by Dr. Chip Bantock, who recently started working there two days a week; Dr. Harpreet Kelly, who typically works in the clinic a few days a month is currently away on maternity leave; two residents, Dr. Signy Frank and Dr. Leandra Wellmeier; and two medical office assistants, Leigh Kolodka and Sara Payette. All together they have a combined century of experience.

Happy Holidays!

The Division office will be closed for the holidays starting Friday, December 21 and will reopen Monday, January 7, 2019. We wish all of you a safe and happy holiday season.

Sun Peaks CME 2019

RIHPA and the Division present a CME and engagement weekend at Sun Peaks Grand Hotel & Conference Centre for all members of both organizations. Join us February 22-24, 2019 for CME sessions on Chronic Pain and Wellness, plus family activities, a banquet dinner, and more.

Need a wellness break before the holiday break?

The RIH Physician Wellness Committee presents two upcoming activities this week:

Yoga in the Division Boardroom (209-310 Nicola St) - Tuesday, December 18, 5-6:30 pm
Massage Therapy in the Physician's Lounge - Friday, December 21, 15 minute appointments from 11-4 pm

Contact Caroline Thompson to reserve your spot!

Also - pick up your medical staff yearbook and mingle at Red Collar Brewing on Thursday, December 20 from 5-7 pm.

TRFO Update

TRFO is experiencing a shortage of physician capacity and are working to resolve the issue by developing a new model of care. At this time they are accepting referrals and processing patients that are due on or before June 30, 2019. Please read the letter from TRFO for more information.

FCFP Designation Achieved

Congratulations to Dr. Ben Anders and Dr. Miranda du Preez who achieved and were presented the designation of FCFP (Fellowship in the College of Family Physicians of Canada) in Toronto on November 17, 2018. Drs. Anders and du Preez distinguished themselves through outstanding contribution to family medicine in our community. Please join us in congratulating them!

Procedural Dermatology for Primary Care

This conference will cover topics of Dermoscopy, Electrosurgery, Cryosurgery and Basics of Skin Surgery. Hands on workshops will include dermoscopy use with live models and practicing basic skin surgery techniques. Registration includes a Dermlite DL100 ($400 value).

Welcome to New Staff

We are pleased to welcome Rachann Pedersen and Sue Lissel to the Division team. Rachann has joined our team as the new Projects and Logistics Coordinator and Sue as a Project Lead.

Is your practice closing for the holidays? Let your patients know

We designed a customizable poster for you to put up in your practices over the holidays to let patients know where to go if they need care and when your office will reopen.

Poster >

TRU Nursing Students

We are currently working with the TRU nursing program on an interesting initiative which would see 3rd and 4th year nursing students in community family practice for their practicum. They would be available for approximately 12 weeks and could be assigned to complete a multitude of patient tasks such as mental health visits, flu shots, chronic disease management follow up visits, cervical screening, dementia follow up assessments, and caregiver check-ins, before your visit with those same patients.

The purpose behind this initiative is to help train these nurses in a community setting and increase the availability of nurses for practice in our area. Please contact Shelley Breen if you would like more information or are interested in hosting one of these individuals.

Highlights from Winter Event

There were many laughs on November 23 as the improv troupe from Vancouver Theatre Sports performed at our winter engagement event. As you can see, Dr. Sra gave a helping hand to the group! The cast left us with the idea of collaboration - that we work together to make each other look good and that it's hard to be successful without a strong team behind you.

Thanks to the more than 80 people who came out to celebrate. It was a great opportunity to chat, laugh, and connect.

Capacity Analysis

If you didn’t complete the capacity analysis on the first round please consider completing a shortened version. The crucial information we are collecting will help us to understand the current capacity and challenges within our practices and will provide data to help predict capacity and practice trends through 2023 in our region. It will also help with physician resource planning, evaluating current and proposed Division programs, and planning for increased incentives and support. Thank you in advance for taking the time to complete the capacity analysis.

Capacity Analysis >

New and Improved Maternity Webpage

An updated version of the maternity section on the Division website is now live.

The webpage offers information on the maternity services and resources available in Kamloops.

We encourage you to check it out and promote the use of the page with maternity patients.

Residential Care Name Change to Long-Term Care Services Read more >

IH Staffing Announcement for Manager - Kamloops Urgent Primary Care and Learning Centre Read more >

Register now for the JCC Pre-Forum Event & Quality Forum

The JCC day ‘The Power of Togetherness’ on February 26, 2019 offers the opportunity for you to join your colleagues and health care partners, to delve into the nuts and bolts of a wide range of featured projects supported by the JCCs across the province.

The JCCs will sponsor the registration fees, travel and sessional for any practicing physician who wishes to attend ‘The Power of Togetherness’ event. Physicians attending this event are also eligible for sponsorship to Health Talks and the Forum’s main two days of programming (February 27 and 28).

Please contact JCC@doctorsofbc.ca to receive your sponsorship code or for more information.

Rural Retention Program Input

RCCbc is working on behalf of the Joint Standing Committee on Rural Issues to engage rural physicians in the Rural Retention Program (RRP) Review process. They are looking for suggestions to stabilize and/or improve the RRP for themselves or their peers. Please contact Anne Lesack to provide input.