What is the Family Practice Development Fund?
The Family Practice Development Fund (the Fund) provides one-time practice enhancement or start-up funding on a cost recovery or grant basis. The Fund is one of a mix of strategies to develop practice capacity to attract and hold family physicians in Kamloops. The Fund was established in September 2016 by the Division as part of the
GP for Me initiative.
Eligible Applicants
All members in good standing with the Thompson Region Division of Family Practice and whom, with funding, commit to transition to or develop a multi practitioner team-based family practice are eligible to apply. Individual recipients determine the best use of the funds, with the community driven outcome intended to support enhanced family practice capacity and attract and retain family physicians and their primary care team.
Funding Application Process and Deadlines
Funding applications will be accepted semi-annually. A brief application outlining the identified need is to be submitted by email to thompsonregion@divisionsbc.ca with subject heading ‘Family Practice Development Fund’. The intake deadlines for submission are October 15th and April 15th.
The application should outline:
• the aim(s) or objective(s)
• the expected outcomes
• the amount of funding requested
Selection Process and Criteria
A Selection Committee will evaluate applications based on the criteria and available funding envelope. Recommendations from the Committee are to be approved by the Board. Applicants will be notified of the outcome of the selection process within 30 days from the application closing date.
- Community Driven and Team-based Care: The anticipated outcome should support enhanced family practice capacity; attraction/retention of primary care providers; and team-based care in the Thompson Region.
- Funding Request: In order to maximise the benefits of the Fund, applicants are expected to explore and leverage other sources of available funding where possible. As such, the maximum amount of any one application should not exceed $20,000 for Grants and $50,000 if funds are paid back. Application requests in excess of these amounts may be considered if the impact to the community is deemed strategic in nature and all other funding options have been exhausted.
- Available Assets: Should there be more applicants than available funding, the Committee will prioritise based on date of application and amount of requested funding. The Committee may recommend to raise further funds to support all applications.
- Cost Recovery or Grant: To create a sustainable venture for the community, it is intended to grow this fund to include both grants as well as larger sums which recipients of the funds would provide an equal contribution back to the Fund on a mutually agreed upon timeline as the practice is able.
- Exclusions: The funds cannot be used for costs related to breaking of leases or payment for IT enhancements and IT networking.
Program Evaluation / Reporting
An annual assessment review of the Fund is to be undertaken and a report submitted to the Board, with recommendations as needed. To ensure transparency and good communications, the Division and the recipient will be encouraged to develop a shared report outlining their plans, journey and key results.
Management of the Fund
The Division Board is the manager of the Fund, with the objective to grow and sustain the assets as needed by the community. The Division may attract additional government and/or investor contributions to obtain the amount needed to support the demand, and demonstrate this as a proof of concept for other communities. Once proved, the Division would determine the appropriate model to sustain the Fund account.