The provincial government is using a three-pronged strategy in its approach to team-based health care — establishing primary care networks, opening urgent primary care centres, and expanding the number of non-profit community health centres.
Here’s a bit about how the three elements work.
Primary care networks
Health Minister Adrian Dix describes these as the “centrepiece” of the province’s plan to reform primary care.
The networks refer to team-based family practices led by doctors or nurse practitioners that are “linked” together within in a particular geographic area and overseen by an administrator.
Doctors and nurse practitioners will be supported by other professionals such as nurses, dietitians, and mental health and addictions workers.
By taking a team approach, it’s believed doctors and nurse practitioners will be able to see more patients.
The networks are expected to streamline different aspects of health care by centralizing such things as patient referrals, staff recruitment and vacation or sick leave.
In addition, the networks will link with urgent primary care centres to make sure patients are able to receive same-day treatment for urgent cases.
So far, 12 primary care networks have been announced in five communities in B.C.
Negotiations to establish networks in Victoria, the West Shore, and the Saanich Peninsula have been ongoing for about a year.
Urgent primary care centres
The centres serve patients with an illness or injury that requires attention within 12 to 24 hours, but doesn’t qualify as an emergency. Examples of such cases include sprains, wounds or urinary tract infections.
Urgent care centres are ideally located near mental health and substance use services, medical imaging and laboratory services. They supplement walk-in clinics and are seen as one way to relieve pressure on hospital emergency departments.
To date, eight urgent and primary care centres have been announced — including in Nanaimo and the West Shore — and the Health Ministry says two more will be announced soon.
Community health centres
Dix has promised to increase the number of community health centres, where doctors and nurse-practitioners work alongside nurses, dietitians, social workers, physiotherapists, dentists and others.
Community health centres tend to serve more vulnerable populations such seniors or inner-city residents struggling with homelessness and mental health issues. But the B.C. Association of Community Health Centres says the model could be expanded to other communities that lack access to primary health care.
The centres, which are run by non-profit societies or co-operatives, provide primary health care in combination with a range of programs that focus on preventing illness and promoting health.
The centres have been shown to reduce emergency room visits. Although plentiful in Ontario, community health centres have struggled to take hold in B.C. and many lack secure funding, relying on fundraising and grants to survive.
Sources: B.C. government, Doctors of B.C., B.C. Association of Community Health Centres; Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives.
