In the News

Delta Optimist: A shift in the way health care is provided in South Delta has been a positive amidst the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Jennifer Rogerson, who has her family practice (Harvest Drive Family Practice) in Ladner, and provides primary care at the Richmond Hospital Birth Centre, said she and her colleagues have had to move quickly and shift as the pandemic has changed to ensure that all their patients are receiving the highest care possible.

Cranbrook Daily Townsman: A local group is looking to increase recruitment of more family physicians to Cranbrook and the surrounding regional communities, and has gotten some help from the Regional District of East Kootenay. The RDEK recently approved a funding request from the East Kootenay Division of Family Practice, which asked for $10,000 this year and $15,000 next year to support ongoing recruitment and retention efforts of family physicians to the area.

Delta Optimist: A Delta mental health strategy, tangible steps towards First Nations reconciliation and a youth centre. Those were ideas put forward for further discussion by the Delta Child and Youth Committee, a group of non-profit, government and community agencies and organizations that work to improve the lives of children, youth and families in Delta.

CTV News: The West Coast Family Medical Clinic in Sooke has received a boost from the provincial government to help support local residents. The clinic has completed a renovation and expansion which will allow more health staff to join the island health centre.

Vernon Morning Star: The District of Summerland has identified the need for the replacement of the Summerland Aquatic and Fitness Centre and is considering including a primary health care centre as part of council’s strategic priority. The municipality has completed a procurement process to obtain consulting services to lead a comprehensive community consultation and engagement process and to complete a facility needs assessment.

Burnaby Now: Our province has done well in flattening the curve of the spread of COVID-19 infections compared to other communities throughout North America. We owe much to the wise leadership of Dr. Bonnie Henry and Minister of Health Adrian Dix.

EnergeticCity.ca: The North Peace Division of Family Practice was invited before the Peace River Regional District board May 28 to present their findings on the Rural Fort St John Residency Program. Four residents took part in the program this year, but only two were ready to graduate. Both are staying in Fort St John.

CFJC Today: A pair of local doctors say they’re thankful for the way the community has come on board with guidelines set out by Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry. The rate of new cases of COVID-19 has slowed down in the Interior Health region.

Kamloops This Week: Doctors throughout Kamloops and the Thompson region are recognizing the successful efforts of area residents to help reduce the spread of the novel coronavirus. “We have seen incredible buy-in locally,” said Dr. Elizabeth Parfitt, infectious disease specialist at Royal Inland Hospital.

Voiceonline: People in Surrey will now have better access to same-day urgent and primary care with the opening of a second new urgent and primary care centre (UPCC) in Newton. “The new Surrey urgent and primary care centre will connect people who don’t have a family doctor with the health care they need,” said Premier John Horgan. “This is one of 17 urgent and primary care centres opened in communities around the province, along with new and upgraded hospitals and primary care networks that will deliver better, faster health care to all British Columbians.”

VIU: As COVID-19 quickly spread around the world and critical health supplies became scarce, Vancouver Island University (VIU) employees have found ways to help protect frontline responders and their colleagues on campus providing essential services. “Universities have enormous intellectual capacity and the physical resources, space and laboratories available to support our communities and society,” says Dr. Erik Krogh, Co-chair of VIU’s Chemistry department. “It’s encouraging to see the degree to which people are collaborating and stepping up to do a variety of things to help out during this crisis.”   

Stockhouse: CloudMD Software & Services Inc. (CSE: DOC, OTCQB: DOCRF, Frankfurt: 6PH) (the “Company” or “CloudMD”), a telemedicine company revolutionizing the delivery of healthcare to patients, is proud to announce that one of their clinics’ doctors, Tahmeena Ali received the BC Family Physician of the Year Award from the BC College of Family Physicians. 

Castanet: Doctors in Kamloops are thanking residents for their efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic. “We have seen incredible buy-in locally,” says Dr. Elizabeth Parfitt, Infectious Disease Specialist at Royal Inland Hospital, in a press release. “People paraded us and put up signs on our lawns that brought tears to my eyes, but the public’s efforts are heroic because without their buy-in we wouldn’t be sitting in such a favourable position to meet the challenges of this pandemic."

Powell River Peak: Burnaby’s four MLAs were joined by Mayor Mike Hurley at the Central Park COVID-19 Primary Care Testing and Treatment Site - a key piece of Burnaby’s Primary Care Networks COVID-19 Response Strategy - to receive a donation of 14,000 masks from Chens Enterprises in support of family doctors in Burnaby. Chens Enterprises has donated more than 120,000 medical masks to local hospitals and the latest donation will support Burnaby’s family doctors to ensure that they are able to continue to safely provide great care to their patients through the course of the pandemic – virtually and in person.

iHeartRadio: Don't know how to connect with your family doctor? Pathways BC Virtual Care Directory is resource that helps you to connect virtually with a medical professional. Dr. Kathy Dabrus, family physician and board member with the Victoria Division of Family Practice joined Adam to talk about this new resource.

Delta Optimist: Just how many Delta residents have been infected by the coronavirus? That what Delta council wants to know as a request will be made directly to Premier John Horgan and provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry for Delta-specific numbers, data Mayor George Harvie said he had tried to get from the health region but got nowhere with his request.

Castanet: Primary Care Networks in the South Okanagan have grown since $4.4M in funding was announced by BC Health Minister Adrian Dix in April of 2019. The investment promised funding for the hiring of six new general practitioners, five nurse practitioners and 11 other healthcare professionals to work in the region. It’s been more than a year since the announcement, and Castanet has confirmed that a number of healthcare providers have been brought in to help patients in the South Okanagan and Similkameen.

Castanet: Primary Care Networks in the South Okanagan have grown since $4.4M in funding was announced by BC Health Minister Adrian Dix in April of 2019. The investment promised funding for the hiring of six new general practitioners, five nurse practitioners and 11 other healthcare professionals to work in the region. It’s been more than a year since the announcement, and Castanet has confirmed that a number of healthcare providers have been brought in to help patients in the South Okanagan and Similkameen.

Oliver Chronicle: Local physicians are encouraging people not to put off visiting their family doctors during the pandemic. The South Okanagan Similkameen Division of Family Practice wants people to know that new resources make it easier to connect for regular and ongoing patient care.  “Although we are in the midst of a pandemic, all residents are encouraged to continue with their regular health care and book appointments with a family doctor or nurse practitioner,” said communications lead Heather Allen.

Castanet: In the midst of a pandemic, South Okanagan family doctors want to be sure their patients aren't putting off visiting their physicians out of fear of COVID-19. So the South Okanagan Similkameen Division of Family Practice has gotten involved with a new virtual care directory of doctors offering video and by-phone appointments, as well as any updated clinic hours, for patients to refer to.  "We want to make it as easy as possible for patients to continue to book appointments, and get support and treatment for medical concerns – whether this has to do with COVID-like symptoms or not,” said Dr. Tim Phillips, SOS Division of Family Practice physician lead. “This pandemic is not going away tomorrow, so please don’t put off visiting your family doctor for regular care.”