A. A number of approaches were used to gather information and learnings before finalizing the service delivery model and the direction for our urban primary care redesign.  These included literature review from Canada, the U.K. and the U.S.; site visits to places in B.C. that are, or have trialled and evaluated, new approaches to primary care delivery; key interviews with teams and services in Alberta and Vancouver Island about their new approaches; and a Kaizen that included all VCH-Vancouver Community youth services providers to identify gaps and opportunities for improvement of youth primary care.

We’ve also undertaken several meetings, discussions and research projects across VCH related to the needs of vulnerable communities.  All of this — as well as the invaluable input from our stakeholders and partners within and external to VCH — have been considered as input into the final decision-making process and the direction we have taken.

During the review process itself, a full bibliography and a large binder of information was made available to all stakeholders to peruse and add to, if they so desired. That information remains available and can be reviewed at the Vancouver Community offices located at 520 West 6^th. We’d be happy to forward the bibliography which was representative (but not exhaustive) of all of the articles and documents reviewed throughout this two-year review and assessment of VCH primary care services.

A. Much of the patient transition plan depends on what our current physicians choose to do. They are now deciding between coming with us to the new Raven Song Clinic or establishing new fee-for-service practices at existing primary care clinic locations. We’re still awaiting their final responses, which are expected by mid-May.

In regard to clients, all complex clients will be offered ongoing primary care at Raven Song, 3 Bridges, Pender or DCHC, or REACH. For those who do not meet the complexity mandate, every possible option will be explored to ensure they are transitioned to ongoing primary care in the community. Anyone unable to connect with a new physician will continue to have the support of VCH until new and additional options emerge through new initiatives, such as the GP for Me initiative under development by the Doctors of BC (formerly the BCMA).

Primary care patient transition is not intended to be a short-term undertaking. Patients will be transitioned with the utmost sensitivity and we’re committed to ensuring all clients have access to ongoing primary care throughout this process. While our goal is to expand and enable increased access to primary care by the most vulnerable and complex, we’ll also retain a tight focus on current clients to ensure they are well supported throughout the transition process.

A. GP for Me is a promising provincial priority. While Divisions of Family Practice across B.C. are involved, our Vancouver primary care operations and medical leaders have been invited to participate with the Vancouver Division of Family Practice Working Group which is focused on implementing the GP for Me attachment initiative. The Division is aware of our work in primary care, but it’s too early in the process to speak to specific numbers of primary care patients that may be absorbed. Having said that, we believe one of the main goals of the GP for Me initiative — to make it easier for patients to find a family doctor – will ease the transition for many of our existing, but non-complex primary care patients.  VCH has been, and will continue to be, a willing partner with the Vancouver Division as this initiative evolves. You can learn more at the Division website.