Victoria Primary Care Networks are busy building their teams and working on their year-one implementation. Below are fast facts on recent developments as we work towards stronger patient medical homes and access to team-based primary care in Victoria.

If you have questions, please contact Helen Welch at hwelch@divisionsbc.ca
 

PCN neighbourhood leads holding monthly sessions – Please register

The PCN neighbourhood leads are now hosting monthly neighbourhood sessions for PCN physician members to stay connected and to discuss and inform next steps for their neighbourhood. The sessions currently focus on allied health professionals. All PCN members are encouraged to attend and have a say. Physicians will be compensated 1.5 sessional hours. Registration is required; dates and registration links for the next months can be found here and on the VDFP’s PCN page (VDFP members need to be logged in to view). PCN members also received an email invite (subject: PCN neighbourhood monthly meetings).

The PCN’s neighbourhood leads are:

• Downtown/Vic West: Dr Chris Fraser 
• Fairfield/Oaklands/Fernwood/James Bay: Dr Melissa Duff, with support from Dr Aaron Childs
• Interurban/Tillicum/Quadra/Swan Lake: Dr Stuart Bax
• Oak Bay/Gordon Head/Shelbourne: co-leads Drs Anna Mason and David Harrison
   

New PCN learning labs starting in October – No pre-registration required

The PCN is offering new learning labs for all PCN physician members across all neighbourhoods each last Friday of a month from 12 – 12:50pm. These sessions are a collaborative learning space to talk about how PCN development is progressing in each neighbourhood. The first session’s topic on October 29t will be MHSU consultants. Physicians will be compensated 1.0 sessional hour. Pre-registration is not required. Dates and separate join links for each date can be found here and on the PCN page. PCN members also received an email invite (subject: PCN Learning Lab Series – all neighbourhoods).
 

First PCN resources coming online

• Six new-to-practice FPs have begun working in our community.
• Three NP job postings to support PMHs are now live on the Division website to facilitate an immediate start.
• Hiring is underway for three Mental Health Consultants.
• Health Care on Yates is providing longitudinal primary care services.
• Island Sexual Health is gradually starting on-site primary care services.
• CoolAid’s low-barrier mobile outreach team is now active. The team connects with the vulnerable and underserved population by using a mobile clinic van.
   

Downtown Victoria Urgent and Primary Care Centre (DV UPCC) is making good progress

• Recruitment and onboarding of FPs with existing practices is underway. There is considerable interest and the DV UPCC is proceeding with great diligence to ensure any moves support the DV UPCC’s goal to help stabilize and enhance primary care.
• Following FP concerns about patient medical home capacity for in-person assessments of COVID-positive patients, the DV UPCC is taking pressure off the community by providing these assessments for Greater Victoria patients. The referral form is available here and on Pathways. The DV UPCC is also seeing refugee patients.
• The Victoria Memory Clinic is open and accepting referrals. The clinic is partially funded by the Victoria PCN and temporarily located at the Downtown Victoria UPCC. Referral criteria and form can be found here and on Pathways. Family physicians Abeer Abed, Valerie Ehasoo, Carolyn Knight, Janet Mak, Merunka Mordasiewicz, Perpetua Nwosu, and Christine Roh are participating in providing the new team-based service.
   

Other clinic details

With considerable development being underway, members inquired about details on UPCCs, clinics and new clinic spaces that are part of the Victoria primary care networks. Click here for clinic web links and details on status, staffing, hours and catchment areas.
 

Are you interested to join the Attachment Working Group?

The PCN’s Attachment Working Group is now forming in order to develop criteria and mechanism for future attachment as the PCN creates longitudinal care capacity. Please contact project manager Stan Bersenev at sbersenev@divisionsbc.ca if you are interested.   
 

PCN director and staff hired

Nancy Falconer started as Victoria PCN director in July, and is now supported by project managers Cynthia Durand-Smith and Stan Bersenev as well as administrative assistant Carlena Johnson. Please join us in welcoming the new team!
 

Doors wide open to join the PCN!

If you have not yet joined the PCN and are interested to become a member, please submit the PCN application form.

 

Thank you to all who support the Victoria primary care networks!

 

Questions? Please contact Helen Welch at hwelch@divisionsbc.ca

 

posted: October 14, 2021