Time to Air Summary and Next Steps

Thank you to everyone who attended our event on February 27 and contributed to the lively conversation. There was a really interesting, and relevant, discussion on the importance of valuing Family Practice and the work you do.

You told us that you want to focus on member driven work this next year. This direction included a refocus on recruitment and retention, which continues to be a top priority. We also heard you want us to bring the community into the conversation going forward. your other priorities included supporting the formation of a family practice teaching centre and beginning the conversations around networks. Thanks for attending! If you would like to read the full summary report, please click here. 

Welcome to our NP Members

We are pleased to welcome Nurse Practitioners as new Division members. Under the new bylaws, Nurse Practitioners can become associate members. So far, your Board has approved membership applications from 11 NPs and are hoping to receive more applications. We look forward to working together around primary care in our community.

Nurse in Practice Contract or the FFS Model 

In February the latest version of the Ministry’s Nurse in Practice contract, which has been in negotiations with the support of Dr of BC since the fall, was shared with interested physicians in Kamloops and Kelowna. There are some physicians interested in Kelowna having read the latest document and we are in the process of organizing an April meeting with interested Kamloops physicians to review the contract in more detail. If you are interested in being part of these discussions or seeing that latest contract and have not been in the past please contact mwalsh@divisionsbc.ca.

If you are interested in having a Nurse in Practice via the Fee For Service model, would like more information on this model, or would like help recruiting a nurse to your practice please let us know.

Family Practice Teaching Centre

After a short member survey during the month of February we heard back from 25 physicians who supported the idea and development of a Family Practice Teaching Centre here in Kamloops. We are currently working with Dr. Selena Lawrie in her role as Site Director of the UBC Residency Program, Kamloops Site. Together, we wish to explore options with interested colleagues. One option could include a tiered approach to the Teaching Centre development with the potential to start a resident run clinic. 

For those interested in hearing more and being involved as a preceptor, please join us on March 29 for an adventure at Cliffsyde Climbing Gym starting at 7:00 PM. Discussion to follow from 8:30-9:15 PM. 

Seniors Health and Wellness Centre opening April 10

The Seniors Health and Wellness Centre is a service that aims to optimize the health of patients with moderate to significant medical complexities and frailty and to provide support to their family and care team. The objective is to provide a comprehensive assessment, possible short term treatment, and interventions for patients.

It is anticipated that the SHWC will open on April 10. All necessary information will be available on pathwaysbc.ca in the near future.

New Project Lead at the Division Office!

We are pleased to welcome Melanie Todd as our new Project Lead! Melanie will be your first point of contact for Pathways, Patient Attachment, and Integrated Teams. 

Melanie Todd has been involved in the healthcare field as a Public Health Nurse, working in British Columbia for over 4 years, and more specifically in Kamloops for 2.5 years, primarily working in the areas of Immunization, and Child and Maternal Health.  Obtaining her Master’s degree in Public Health with a speciality in Nursing in 2012 was a natural fit given her interest in primary health care, program planning, and evaluation.  Melanie values quality time with her husband and two young daughters, participating in family activities such as swimming, skiing, hiking, and camping. 

Are you planning to attend the Rural and Remote Course?

The Rural and Remote Course will be taking place in Calgary this year with the Thompson Region Division of Family Practice exhibiting to recruit Family Physicians to the Thompson Region. If you are attending, please connect with Christine via email at  thompsonrecruitment@divisionsbc.ca to participate at the booth by answering interested physician’s questions. We would welcome your support and would like to make it worth your while. 

Provide your input to help recruit! 

What do you like most about living in the Thompson Region? Help us recruit by completing a short survey and providing your feedback on what makes this a great place to live and what the Division can do for new physicians. 

ADHD Parent Group 

Child and Youth Mental Health have developed a new flyer for their ADHD parent group, which may be of interest  to you. Click here for the poster for your office. Please contact the Childcare Resource and Referral Centre & BE Early Years Centre at 250-376-4771 for more information.