BC Health Minister Adrian Dix announcing site for a new cancer care center in Kamloops, May 25, 2023/via Abby Zieverink
BC’s Health Minister suggests a primary care network will roll out in the Kamloops region, though a date is yet to be determined.
Adrian Dix says that currently there are 64 PCNs in operation across BC, a number which is set to grow to 87.
“About 1,400 people are employed by them (PCNs), and what it does is it adds team-based care to primary care and here and everywhere else, we’re building out primary care networks.”
In a specific update on a PCN in Kamloops, Dix suggests the focus has been on hiring healthcare professionals.
“It’s not open in the same way as a cancer center, it’s not like it’s not brick and mortar, sometimes it is, but sometimes you’re spending like in that case, we also hired a bunch of people through SHARE to do that,” he added.
“Let’s just say it’s a huge number of people that have been hired over time, and in addition to what we’re doing with primary care doctors, which has been a phenomenal success in the Interior in particular, I think it is an important change.”
Dix explains PCNs are largely developed by divisions of family practice, communities, and First Nations and are funded by the province, once approved.
“Once you’re approved, it is built out and people are hired in the primary care networks.”
By building supports, Dix says it allows communities to build out PCNs over three years.
“The first year the network’s announced, you get about 30 per cent, and then 60 per cent, and then 100 per cent,” he said. “This allows us to support not just UPCCs and others but the existing network of clinics supported.”
Additionally, he explains that the support available in each PCN is different depending on the need of the community.
“Some communities have high rates of diabetes, so it might be required to bring in a dietitian, who’s working in connection with all the primary care networks in town to address those issues because that’s very important for people with diabetes.”
More recently, Dix says the largest group of people in an area of practice hired in PCNs is mental health and addictions professionals, specifically counseling support.
“If you think of the Fraser Northwest primary care network in Coquitlam we have an arrangement in that case with SHARE to provide counseling services which helps the doctor,” he explained.
“Part of what happens when people come in, as a doctor, you’re diagnosing them and you maybe even diagnose them easily but then you spend a significant part of your day trying to find access to service… This allows you to connect people access to services more quickly.”
Asked Dix when a PCN might expect to open in the Kamloops area, he suggested work is ongoing, noting that once it’s approved, it will move forward on its own.
“What it is is staff, so you’ve got primary care clinics, which were principally doctors and nurse practitioners and others, who are often independent contractors in one form or another. The nurses and health sciences professionals and others are Health Authority employees so it requires some connection.”
He hinted a primary care network is set to roll out in the Kamloops region in the near future.
A date for when we could expect to see an announcement is unknown at this time.
