In the News

Tri-City News: A Coquitlam poultry processing plant was on lockdown Thursday morning, April 23, as what appeared to be a Fraser Health SWAT team entered the premises donning masks and gloves. On Wednesday, Fraser Health’s top doctor, Dr. Martin Lavoie, told The Tri-City News, “We haven’t identified any crossover.”

Castanet: A temporary outdoor medical facility in McLaren Park Arena in Penticton is now equipped to accommodate COVID-19 screening and testing. The SOS Division of Family Practice is currently operating the centre at the arena, where family physicians and nurse practitioners provide by-appointment primary care to local patients. Until now, it had simply been an assessment centre aimed at dealing with patients' immediate health concerns. But to be prepared for changing circumstances, testing will now take place, starting "soon," according to the association. 

e-know.ca: Letter to the Editor: Dear Residents of Cranbrook and Kimberley: First and foremost, we want to thank you all for practicing physical distancing and isolating yourselves when necessary. Although these last few weeks have been trying on us all, we know that it is through limiting spread of this virus that we will make the biggest difference. Healthcare workers still require your support, and we remind you that the battle is far from over.

Tri-City News: Those struggling with mental health concerns can now get access to counsellors virtually, thanks to a partnership between Fraser Health and the Fraser Northwest Division of Family Practice. The Primary Care Network counselling program is now being offered free and virtually, according to the physician’s organization.

Langley Advance Times: Langley Division of Family Practice wants to remind residents their family doctors are available and ready to see them during the ongoing state of emergency. “We moved all of our clinics, about mid-March, to either phone or virtual just because of COVID and of course now all of those clinics actually are seeing a decline in numbers… we’re just a little worried about people who are dealing with previous medical conditions who might not be seeking care,” said Ellen Petterson, executive director of Langley Division of Family Practice.

Prince George Citizen: When COVID-19 first reared its ugly head in B.C., a rapid response was needed to help worried citizens who needed answers from qualified sources. People wanted to know if they had the virus, what the symptoms were, and whether they needed to see a doctor or go to the hospital for testing.

Delta Optimist: The model and methods may have changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but getting access to health care in Delta is still as strong as ever. That’s the message from Geri McGrath and The Delta Division of Family Practice as its doctors and nurses continue to provide the care and support in the community.

Pique: Having one's own doctor holds numerous benefits. They know your particular constellation of ailments, you develop a rapport, and you don't have to explain your issues to a new doctor every time you visit the clinic. Moreover, research has shown that access to family physicians leads to better health outcomes for patients and cost savings for healthcare systems. Yet like other communities across the country, Whistler had a dearth of family doctors even before the current health crisis, counting about 10 operating in the community (with some working on a part-time basis or splitting their time between family practice and emergency room care).

Keremeos Review: As the COVID-19 crisis continues, the South Okanagan Similkameen Division of Family Practice has provided an update for Keremeos residents on how to continue to access primary care. Booking an appointment: Patients needing an appointment with a family doctor in Keremeos are asked to call ahead for care at the South Similkameen Health Centre at 250-499-3000, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. The doctor will then determine whether you can be seen over the phone, by video, or if an in-person appointment is required.These measures are meant to reduce the risk to all patients and staff as well as to conserve valuable personal protective equipment for health care providers, which are used every time a patient is seen in clinic or the emergency department for any reason.

North Shore News: While all eyes on the province nervously watch the progress of the COVID-19 pandemic, there’s one part of the health care system that’s been eerily quiet – local doctors’ offices. And that’s not necessarily a good thing, say local physicians, who worry that people who should be seeing a doctor might be staying home.

Prince George Citizen: When COVID-19 first reared its ugly head in B.C., a rapid response was needed to help worried citizens who needed answers from qualified sources. People wanted to know if they had the virus, what the symptoms were, and whether they needed to see a doctor or go to the hospital for testing.

Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows News: During the COVID-19 crisis, doctors are temporarily offering their patients telephone and videoconferencing appointments. But, at times, they’ll have to see someone in person. Where can that happen safely? Who might mostly need a face-to-face visit with their physician? Enter the Division of Family Practice Care Network (PCN), a non-profit organization of B.C. doctors working with government to improve primary care and physician satisfaction.

Castanet: The South Okanagan Similkameen Division of Family Practice came up with creative solutions for people working at the new outdoor assessment centre in Penticton, thanks to some community helpers. A donation of washable, reusable medical gowns is helping keep staff safe, and it all started at the outset of the COVID-19 crisis. "It was back around March 20 when we were starting to watch what was happening with preparations for the COVID-19 pandemic. A lot of best practices pointed at having an outdoor assessment centre and we looked at what that would look like in our community, and what we would need to have staff work safely," said SOS Division of Family Practice executive director Tracy St. Claire. 

Times Colonist: As nine 3D printers in a UVic lab busily tap out parts for medical face shields for Island Health, biomedical engineer Stephanie Willerth’s mind is buzzing with more ways to make and re-use protective equipment amid the COVID-19 pandemic. “I think this would be just part of a larger effort to be working with Island Health, now that we have the community together,” said Willerth, a University of Victoria engineering professor and acting director of its biomedical engineering program.

e-know.ca: The East Kootenay Division of Family Practice is now offering a virtual walk-in COVID-19 clinic for people without a family doctor.

Tri-City News: Andy and Lindsay Huerlimann are planners and so it’s no surprise they stocked up on food and necessities as the birth of their baby loomed.  They took pre-natal classes, ordered prescriptions, had a trunk full of supplies for the hospital, organized their house and even set up a spreadsheet to keep track of contractions. But neither Andy, an engineer, nor Lindsay, an occupational therapist at the Centre for Child Development, were prepared for the stress of COVID-19 and how it would prey on their minds as the due date crept closer.

Delta Optimist: It takes a community. We all know that South Delta is an amazing community to call home but in these troubling times, we’ve come together—much like the Delta Community Health Care Foundation was there when we needed them the most. That’s why we wanted to publicly thank them for their financial support, for providing the Delta Division of Family Practice much-needed supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE), and for their ongoing help with our community communication.

CFJC Today: The Thompson Region Division of Family Practice is urging people dealing with medical issues to reach out to their family physicians. “We can help you with a variety of your health needs,” said local family physician Dr. Servaas Swart. “People are so focused on the virus at the moment, neglecting maybe some other health issues. We don’t want you to deteriorate at home while you’re staying safe. Therefore we are urging people be in contact with your nurse practitioner or your family physician so we can address your health needs.”

Tri-City News: A COVID-19 testing clinic run by Tri-City and New Westminster doctors has adjusted the way it follows up with patients following the death of a 47-year-old father in Richmond earlier this week. 

Vernon Morning Star: Summerland’s family physicians are continuing to provide after hour care in the community during the COVID-19 pandemic. Appointments will be by phone or by video, with in-person appointments reserved for those who require a physical examination, a memo from the South Okanagan Similkameen Division of Family Practice states.