Today FPSC launched a pilot program in partnership with HealthLink BC to provide after hours care for attached patients of family physicians and nurse practitioners in the Langley, South Island, South Okanagan Similkameen, Thompson Region, and Victoria divisions of family practice.
FPSC developed the program together with HealthLink BC and the five divisions of family practice to reduce the challenges family physicians face in providing patients with care outside regular office hours. After hours care was one of the top burdens family doctors identified during Doctors of BC’s primary care engagement in summer 2022. The new program meets the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC’s Practice Standard for Care Coverage Outside Regular Office Hours.
Family physicians in the pilot regions can also sign up to work the after hours service and receive compensation for their time, paid hourly through a physician group contract with the B.C. Ministry of Health.