Welcome to Surrey–North Delta
Your Journey Begins Here
Welcome to Surrey–North Delta (SND), one of the most diverse, dynamic, and rapidly growing regions in British Columbia. Whether you are relocating from within Canada or abroad, starting your practice in a new community is a major life step. Our goal is to make that transition clearer, easier, and well supported.
The Surrey–North Delta Division of Family Practice is a physician-led, member-based organization representing family physicians, locums, and new-to-practice physicians in the region. We work closely with Primary Care Networks (PCNs), Fraser Health, provincial partners, and community organizations to support your success—professionally, personally, and socially. You are not only joining a healthcare system; you are joining a community that values your expertise and wants you to thrive.
Meet Us: The Surrey–North Delta Division of Family Practice
Surrey–North Delta Division of Family Practice | |
The Heartbeat Behind the DivisionSurrey–North Delta is a place where cultures, languages, and life stories converge, where families begin new chapters and physicians bring their skills to serve a growing community. It is one of British Columbia’s fastest-growing and most multicultural regions. The Division is a physician-led organization created to ensure every physician has the guidance, tools, and community support needed to thrive, personally and professionally. |  The Division is more than a professional association, it is a collaborative network that helps the local healthcare system work better for both patients and physicians. Membership provides access to practical resources, support, and meaningful opportunities to connect with colleagues. From Individual Practice to Connected CareWe connect family doctors to one another and to Primary Care Networks, specialists, and community partners. This strengthens relationships, streamlines referrals, supports knowledge sharing, and helps make practice more sustainable. — Surrey–North Delta Division of Family Practice Team |
| Visit the Surrey–North Delta Division of Family Practice website | |
Why Choose Surrey–North Delta?
Surrey–North Delta is one of the fastest-growing regions in Canada and home to families from every corner of the world. As a newcomer, you’ll feel immediately welcomed into a vibrant, multicultural community that values its physicians. With a population that is expanding rapidly, there is a high demand for family physicians. Many clinics are seeking long-term colleagues to meet the needs of a youthful and dynamic patient population. With excellent schools, transit, parks and neighborhood's, Surrey North Delta is the place to start your thriving practice.
A Place To Live & Lead
Picture a physician arriving from abroad or from another province. They have excellent medical training, a desire to help, and hopes of building a new life in Canada. What they need is not only a license or job, but a place where they can belong, grow, and feel supported. SND DOFP answers that need.
Discover your New Home
Schools & Education Opportunities in Surrey
 | In Surrey–North Delta, Surrey is served by Surrey School District 36, while Delta is served by Delta School District 37. Surrey is the largest public school district in B.C., with more than 130 elementary and secondary schools, while Delta has 31. Programs include French Immersion, IB, AP, Fine Arts, and Career/Trades/Technology Education. Surrey–North Delta is one of BC's fastest growing communities, and that growth is matched by a strong, inclusive education system. Surrey School District includes:
Surrey and Delta also offer independent and private schools, including Montessori and alternative learning options recognized by the BC Ministry of Education. |
Post-Secondary Education in SurreySurrey and Delta are home to strong post-secondary institutions offering flexible, high-quality programs for students and adult learners. Schools | |
Housing Opportunities
Housing Options
Popular newcomer-friendly areas include:
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Finding a place to liveWe recommend looking at a variety of options when considering your housing needs: MLS® & Real Estate Map | REALTOR.ca; Facebook Marketplace is another popular avenue to find rentals in the local area. | |
Parks, Recreation & Lifestyle
- Bear Creek Park
- Holland Park
- Delta Nature Reserve
- White Rock Beach (15–20 minutes away)
- Recreation centres, arenas, libraries, and cultural hubs
- Year-round festivals and a thriving multicultural food scene
SND is a region where physicians can enjoy a high quality of life while serving a diverse and growing population.
The Big Picture: Healthcare in British Columbia
Canada’s healthcare system is publicly funded, and British Columbia (BC) delivers primary care through a mix of independent and team-based family practices. Here’s what makes BC unique, and why many physicians choose to build their careers here:
What to Expect in BC
- Universal health coverage through the Medical Services Commission (MSC)
- Independent family practices complemented by Primary Care Networks (PCNs)
- Patient Medical Homes (PMH) and team-based care models
- Emphasis on longitudinal, relationship-based care
- Investment in team-based clinics
- Commitment to culturally safe and inclusive medicine
- EMR-supported panel management, quality improvement, and preventative care
- Support structures for internationally trained physicians.
BC–Canadian Health System
Key Organizations for Family Physicians
 A voluntary association of 16,000+ physicians, residents, and medical students in BC. Supports members with fee guides, billing, audits, training, and practice resources. |  College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC (CPSBC) Regulates physicians to ensure qualification, competence, and fitness for practice. Manages complaints, quality assurance, and facility accreditation. |  A voluntary association advocating for family physicians and improving care systems for patients and physicians. |
 Family Practice Services Committee (FPSC) Strengthens full-service family practice and patient care in BC as a joint committee between Government of BC and Doctors of BC. |  College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) Sets training standards, accredits programs, and supports teaching and research in family medicine. |  BC College of Family Physicians A member-driven organization advocating and supporting family physicians in BC. |
How We Support New To Practice Physicians
You’re not alone in this journey. We’re here to guide, connect, and support you from your first questions to your first day in clinic and beyond. The Division is your central go-to resource for information and guidance as you consider relocating to Surrey, upon starting your practice, and beyond.
Our Services:
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Physicians Relocating
The Division assists family physicians interested in moving to Surrey-North Delta by directing them to key resources they need for Licensure or Registration, and by connecting them to practice opportunities tailored to their preferences. Once you find a practice that is a good fit, we will help you work through the clinics offer of employment, and request sponsorship with our local Health Authority, Fraser Health.(if applicable)
Learn about the services the Division has to offer
The Surrey-North Delta Division of Family Practice is here to support our members. Whether you want to improve an aspect of your practice, find useful tools and resources or access support for physical or mental wellness, we're here to help. Browse the resources or contact Megan for personalized assistance.
What new physicians are saying.
"I did feel a warm welcome. I did not feel marginalized, I felt included and heard and listened to. No question was taken as a silly question. Family Physicians around me showed patience and guided me whenever I needed their help"...Interview with Dr. Uzma Mashood
"As a solo physician new to the community, I find the physician WhatsApp group to be an invaluable resource..."
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Licensing and Immigration
Every physician’s relocation journey is unique. Getting licensed to practice in British Columbia ranges on average between 6 to 18 months, depending on your specific situation. Physicians should take this timeline into consideration when planning their relocation to BC. Health Match BC will be able to provide progress updates and estimated wait times as you go through the verification process. After your documents are verified, your file will be directed to the BC College of Physicians and Surgeons, which will issue your registration package. Again, the processing time of your package will vary. Your case manager will be able to provide an estimated timeline leading up to licensure. The Division can support your case if you experience delays outside of regular processing time.
TIPS
- Registering with Health Match BC is a great first step.
- Submit required documents for source verification
- Complete assessments (if applicable)
- Review CPSBC registration and licensing requirements: CPSBC – Registration & Licensing
- CPSBC Practice Standards & Guidelines: Standards & Guidelines
- Review provisional or full registration
- Apply for MSP billing and vendor numbers.
Physicians seeking to practice in British Columbia must adhere to the Practice Standards and Professional Guidelines published by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia (CPSBC). Practice standards and professional guidelines | College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC.
Note: Practicing physicians relocating to British Columbia should become licensed in this province before relinquishing any existing licenses in their current jurisdiction.
Contact Megan: megan.shymanski@snddivision.ca
Finding a place to Practice
In parallel to applying for licensing and immigration, you will also want to secure a clinic to open your family practice in. You can find a breadth of practice opportunities by accessing the Surrey-North Delta Division website and the BC Health Careers website to view the practice opportunities that are available.
PRACTICE OPTIONS:
Joining and existing practice | We help you explore clinics, meet the teams, and understand workflow, patient demographics, and expectations. Many family physicians who come to BC choose to join an existing family practice clinic. Each clinic is unique, and the best way to find a good fit for you is to meet the physicians at the clinic and discuss what each party is looking for. If the opportunity to visit the clinics in-person is possible, the Division is happy to tour you around to different sites. A great resource is this printable list of questions that you may want to consider as you seek to join an existing practice. More resources in the list below: Resources
We have compiled a printable list of questions that you may want to consider as you seek to join an existing practice. Clinical Support
Work Expectations
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Locum Opportunities | Another option in Surrey-North Delta is locum support. If you have a full license in BC, locum opportunities are a good way to experience different practices and approaches to business operations before committing to one practice. Reach out to Megan if you are interested in learning more about locum opportunities. Locums enjoy exceptional flexibility and exposure to different practice styles. Many newcomers start this way. We can help you:
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Starting Your Own Practice | If you are considering starting your own family practice, the division offers a few options. In terms of support, we can connect you with a physician mentor who has recently opened their own clinic and can informally advise you on how to do so, things to consider and ‘what they wish they had known’. In Surrey-North Delta, we have several physicians looking to retire, slow down or transfer panel. The division can work with you to determine what opportunity may suit your situation best, from taking over a brick and mortar clinic and panel, accepting a full panel at a location of your choosing, or finding clinic space to start fresh! For entrepreneurial physicians, we provide support with:
More Information and ResourcesDoctors of BC has some great information for physicians starting a business: https://www.doctorsofbc.ca/advice-support/business-support/starting-business
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Whatever your situation, the Division can help find a family practice model that suits you! | |
Prepare to Practice
You’ve found a practice, you understand the compensation model, and now you’re reviewing your practice agreement and waiting for licensing or other approvals to start your family practice. What can you do to prepare while you wait?
The Division has created an onboarding checklist for physicians relocating. This checklist will guide you through some of the systems that will assist you in managing your family practice. Review the checklist to learn and prepare ahead of your start date so you will be ready to hit the ground running on day one!
List of considerations:
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1.Practice Level Agreement
The practice level agreement is an opportunity for the host clinic and the new provider to discuss specific terms and document their agreement on the working arrangements in the clinic. Leverage the interview questions provided above to think through the details about how the new provider will work with the existing team. In addition to outlining how the team envisions the working relationship, there should also be information included about how the team should approach problem solving as challenges arise, and what everyone can expect when the provider eventually leaves the clinic.
The division has compiled a sample practice level agreement that may assist clinics and new providers as they work on their specific agreement. Doctors of BC provide some further information and templates regarding group practice agreements, including group governance, data sharing, and cost sharing.
Note: If a conflict arises, the division is able to provide limited guidance for providers and can also arrange third-party conflict resolution support. Doctors of BC also has resources and services that can support conflict resolution2. Building the panel of your dreams!
Our attachment team can help you build your panel. We will work alongside you to match you with patients eagerly waiting to meet you. Contact our Surrey-North Delta team of Attachment Coordinators attachment@snddivision.ca
2. Provincial Attachment Systems (PAS)
Surrey–North Delta offers strong panel-building support through the Provincial Attachment System (PAS).
B.C.’s Provincial Attachment System, announced in July 2023, streamlines the process for connecting patients who do not have a primary care provider (either a family doctor or nurse practitioner) with a provider who can take on new patients.
PAS comprises of 3 key registries:
Health Connect Registry (HCR) - People who live in B.C. can register to be matched with a family doctor or nurse practitioner. Patients who are seeking family doctors are asked to register on this site.
Panel Registry (PAS) - Doctors attaching new patients will register to view their current panel, accept patients sent to them through the Division, and if needed, delegate responsibilities to the office manager.
Clinic and Provider Registry - Tracks clinic capacity, provider availability, and attachment workflow for clinics and medical directors to provide accurate, up-to-date clinic information such as what team-based health professionals support patients at what location, and The Ministry of Health's expectation is that all providers on PCN contracts or receiving the Community Longitudinal Family Physician payment will be using PAS to build and manage their panels.
OUR team at the Division will assist you to;
- Set up your PAS access
- Help you understand your EMR panel management
- Assist you manage early panel growth sustainably and monitoring
3.Panel Management & Quality Care
The Practice Support Program | FPSC at Doctors of BC is available to Family Physicians to guide them through panel management, the process of using the physician’s electronic medical record (EMR) data to identify patients’ chronic and preventative care needs and then plan their proactive preventative care.
Through Doctors of BC’s Practice Support Program (PSP), you have access to:
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- EMR optimization
- Chronic disease registries
- Preventative care tools
- Quality improvement coaching
- Panel clean-up support
Contact: psp@doctorsofbc.ca
4.Deciding on a payment model:
Payment Models
When you are considering your practice opportunities, it will be helpful to understand the different compensation systems and contract options that are available in BC for family physicians. The compensation models include:
- Fee-For-Service (FFS)(BC Family Doctors) –It is the most common form of physician payment in BC and worldwide. It is the primary compensation model for family physicians providing specialized services, consultative care, and facility-based care. It also remains a compensation choice for family physicians who provide longitudinal, relationship-based, family medicine care to a panel of patients. It is typically used by physicians who own their own practice, or practice as part of a group. In this compensation model, physicians bill the provincial Medical Services Plan (MSP) directly for services provided to patients.
- Longitudinal Family Physician (LFP). The Longitudinal Family Physicians (LFP). Payment Model was developed by the BC Ministry of Health in consultation with BC Family Doctors and Doctors of BC. An alternative to the fee-for-service model, the LFP payment model is a blended model to support physicians in family practice who provide longitudinal family medicine care. It was developed to:
- Recognize the complexity of logitudinal care
- Value the time spent with patients
- Resources family medicine clinics as critical healthcare infrastructure
- Acknowledge the value of indirect care and clinical administrative services
- - Longitudinal Family Physician (LFP)The Longitudinal Family Physician (LFP) Payment Model was developed by the BC Ministry of Health in consultation with BC Family Doctors and Doctors of BC. An alternative to the fee-for-service model, the LFP payment model is a blended model to support physicians in family practice who provide longitudinal family medicine care. It was developed to:
Recognize the complexity of longitudinal care
Value the time spent with patients
Resource family medicine clinics as critical healthcare infrastructure
Acknowledge the value of indirect care and clinical administrative services
Support physician agency and flexibility in practice
The LFP compensates physicians for their direct clinical services as well as for time spent on administrative tasks.
Helpful resources:
LFP Payment Mode: Top Six Things to Get You Started https://www.doctorsofbc.ca/sites/default/files/bp_top_six_to_get_started.pdf
Medical Services Commission Longitudinal Family Physician Payment Schedule https://www.doctorsofbc.ca/sites/default/files/documents/lfp-payment-schedule.pdf
Medical Services Commission Payment Schedule for FFS, Section 7. Family Medicine https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/health/practitioner-pro/medical-services-plan/msc_payment_schedule_-_june_30_2025.pdf
3. Locum Compensation - LFP Payment Model for locums who can bill under the LFP Payment Model for clinic-based care and facility-based care.
4. Individual New-to-Practice (NTP) Physician Contract - In British Columbia, new-to-practice family physicians can access individual contracts that provide financial support and opportunities to build their new patient panels.
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- Contract through the Health Authority – Fraser Health provides various opportunities for family physicians interested in building a niche practice supporting a specific population within the community. Home - BCHealthCareers provides a list of the current opportunities and describes the populations served through these contracts.
Billing information specific to LFP Locums can be found in the BC Family Doctors’ billing question library (external link)(login required). For information or additional questions, please reach out to the FPSC billing support team at: FP.Billing@doctorsofbc.ca
5.Additional Billing Resources:
Billing Resources:
Doctors of BC’s has created some billing education videos:
- https://www.youtube.com/c/doctorsofbc and a comparison chart of the compensation models.
- UBC CPD also has two self-paced learning modules about billing:
Billing in BC: Basics for Family Medicine https://ubccpd.ca/learn/learning-activities/course?eventtemplate=14
Billing in BC: Advanced for Family Medicine https://ubccpd.ca/learn/learning-activities/course?eventtemplate=9
UBC Faculty of Medicine hosts regular webinars to support physicians transitioning to practice, and there are often webinars about billing as well as other topics https://postgrad.med.ubc.ca/current-trainees/transition-into-practice/events/
Settle In Surrey-North Delta, British Columbia |
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Thrive in Surrey-North Delta
There are many resources and services available that can help you settle and thrive here in Surrey-North Delta. Here are a few to get you started. If you are wondering about something that isn’t here, or run into a question, reach out to Megan, and she can help you find the answers you’re looking for!
WelcomeBC helps people navigate their journey to a new life in BC. They help with settlement services for people from different backgrounds. The website also shares numbers to contact these settlement service providers.
What are settlement services?
Settlement services are programs and services that can help newcomers to Canada. Settlement services may be able to help you:
Look for a job
Make new friends
Assist you in accessing government/community services
Register for language classes
Understand the local culture and customs
Understand your rights in Canada
Settlement Support for Newcomers
Services
- BC ID & driver’s license
- Banking & financial setup
- MSP enrollment
- Housing and utilities
- Childcare and schools
- Community programs
Resources
La Cooperative du Relais Francophone de la C.B. is a non-profit cooperative that offers services and programs to support French-speaking immigrants and communities in British Columbia. It promotes Francophone culture, inclusion, and settlement through language, employment, and community initiatives. |
Links to:
- Doctors of BC
- BC College of Family Physicians
- BC Family Doctors
- Health Match BC
- Fraser Health
- EMR guides
- Billing resources
- Contract templates
Final words — from the SND team
As you begin this new chapter, know that you are not doing it alone. Surrey–North Delta is a community that welcomes you wholeheartedly, values all you bring, and genuinely wants to see you and your family thrive.
You are stepping into a region where colleagues, partners, and community stand ready to support you—professionally and personally. The road ahead is full of opportunity, and we are excited to be part of your journey as you grow, settle, and make Surrey–North Delta your new home.
We look forward to welcoming you to SND.
