What's new at the Vancouver Division

This holiday season help your patients choose the right care at the right place

This year, as previously, the Vancouver Division is engaged in a campaign to give patients the information they need to seek healthcare. Along with our partners at Doctors of BC, Vancouver Coastal Health, Providence Health Care and the BC Pharmacy Association our goal is to reduce pressures on ER and acute hospital resources by directing patients to the right care at the right place at the right time. View and download the 'winter surge' Physician Resource Pamphlet and Patient Poster.  If you would like printed copies please contact Kelly Cameron. 

City Centre Urgent Primary Care Centre now open

We are happy to share that Minister of Health Adrian Dix, along with the Vancouver Division and partners from Vancouver Coastal Health, Doctors of BC and Providence Health Care, announced the opening of City Centre Urgent Primary Care Centre (UPCC) in Vancouver, located at 1290 Hornby Street, on November 25th. Focusing on West End/City Centre residents, the UPCC will provide same-day urgent care for patients with unexpected, non-life-threatening health concerns. The UPCC is not intended to replace family doctors or primary care providers as a person’s first point of contact for health concerns, nor will it replace Vancouver’s Emergency Departments for life-threatening illnesses or injuries. Rather, it is intended to be an additional service in the community, working in concert with all touch points for care to provide appropriate urgent services to patients, when and where they need it.

Click here to read the Ministry announcement 
Click here to view and download a UPCC information poster

Early Prenatal Care Checklist newly updated

In partnership with Perinatal Services BC, the Division has updated (Oct 2018) the popular Early Prenatal Care Summary and Checklist for Primary Care Providers. This practice tool's revisions are based on recommendations in the BC Maternity Care Pathway (2018) and designed as a quick reference to guide important and time-sensitive options for the care of a pregnant woman at her first few visits with a healthcare provider. For more information please contact Justin Ho. 

Vancouver Primary Care Update

On October 31^st the Division, through the collaborative work of the CSC, submitted the Vancouver PCN Service Plan to the Ministry. We received confirmation of receipt, and will begin discussions/ meetings with the Ministry this week on the continued development of PMHs and future PCNs in Vancouver.   

Do you have questions about retirement?

The Vancouver Division has a variety of resources, tools, and processes to help physicians effectively plan for their retirement. Whether you are 5 years away from retirement or closing your practice soon, we can provide support in transitioning patients to other care, office closure processes, and more. If you haven't found someone to take over your practice, please contact the Recruitment & Retention Team for information. 

Is your clinic looking for a short or long term locum?

The Division provides assistance to GPs looking for coverage in both a short and long term capacity. Reach out to our Locum Matching Service with dates and details about your practice. For more information contact the Recruitment & Retention Team.

GPs needed for well-supported patients with mental health complexities

The Patient Attachment Initiative has matched almost 7,500 unattached patients to GPs in Vancouver. Currently, more capacity to match well-supported patients with mental health complexities is needed. Any GPs who are able to accept one new mental health patient per month from this program please contact Catherine Addison. Learn more here. 

Vancouver Division Access to Telephone Interpreting Services

Vancouver Division has signed up for members to access on-demand phone interpreting services as part of the Provincial Language Service’s pilot project.  The services are voluntary and at no cost to you. Click here for more information.  Click here to visit the PHSA webpage about PLS. 

DIVISION EVENTS

January 23:  3rd Annual Career Fair & Networking Event
The Vancouver Division is hosting its 3rd Annual Career Fair and Networking event to help you prepare for the many professional decisions you will face as a family physician. This will be a hybrid educational and networking event aimed at educating physicians on the various career options when they start practicing. This event is designed for Residents and NTP physicians, but all members interested in career planning support are welcome. 

February 5: Indigenous Cultural Safety (ICS) training for physicians
Vancouver Coastal Health Aboriginal Health Department is offering Vancouver Division members who work with or have patients identified as First Nations, Aboriginal or Indigenous to take part in ICS training to help ensure care is culturally safe and appropriate for their patients. For more information contact Rose Gidzinski.