Improving Access to Care Through Transportation Support

Improving Access to Care Through Transportation Support
The Oceanside Primary Care Network (PCN), with generous support from the Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation, is pleased to announce a new partnership with the Society of Organized Services (SOS) to provide transportation for patients who need assistance getting to medical appointments.

This initiative supports one of the Oceanside PCN’s key strategic priorities — improving access to care for rural and remote residents. Reliable transportation can be a significant barrier to receiving timely care, and this partnership represents an important step toward ensuring that all members of our community can access the services they need.

The SOS Medical Appointment Transportation Service offers safe and friendly transportation to and from medical appointments, including doctor, dentist, and physiotherapy visits. Volunteer drivers pick clients up at their homes, take them to their appointments, and return them home. The program is free of charge for low-income residents of District 69 and operates Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., depending on volunteer availability.

Pre-registration can be completed over the phone or in person at the SOS Community Services Centre in Parksville. Appointments must be booked at least two business days in advance.

For more information about the program, please contact the SOS Community Services Centre at 250-248-2093 (ext. 248).

For general questions about this partnership, please contact
Sadie Mack, Oceanside PCN Project Lead at: smack@cidivision.ca or 250-202-3240

Please click here for more program information.

LFP Billing Education: Clinic-based webinar recordings

The LFP Billing Education Clinic-based Webinar Series is now over. We appreciate everyone who attended and hope you found the sessions helpful and informative.

If you missed the webinars, you can watch the recordings now on the Doctors of BC YouTube Channel:

Eligibility and Enrolment
LFP Time Codes
LFP Interaction Codes
Panel Payment
LFP Locum

For any questions or feedback, please contact the FPSC Billing Support Team at fp.billing@doctorsofbc.ca

JCC Conference 2025: featured success stories

The JCC Conference on October 6 and 7 brought together physicians, patients, and partners who are working together to strengthen access, spark innovation and support healthier communities. We'd like to share several video success stories that were highlighted at the event. 

Transforming Family Practice: Reduced Wait Times & More Efficient Care

Cognitive Behavioural Group Therapy Program: Early Access to Mental Health Support

Bringing Maternity Care Home: Dawson Creek's Chickadee Clinic

Removing Incorrect Penicillin Allergy Labels: Better Treatment, Lower Cost

Watch all the videos here

RCCbc's BC Rural Health Awards Nominations Open for 2026!

The BC Rural Health Awards honour rural physicians, communities and residents for their inspiring contributions to improving health across rural British Columbia.

Do you know a BC rural physician who has provided extraordinary service? Are you a resident who promotes ongoing interest in rural and remote medicine in BC? Do you know a BC rural community that has worked hard to support local rural health care?

For More Information & to Nominate someone for a BC Rural Health Award, please click here.

The categories are:

• Rural BC Community Award
• Award of Excellence in Rural Medicine: Lifetime Achievement
• Resident Leadership Award

Help us acknowledge exceptional work by nominating colleagues, mentors, peers, or communities.

Residents can also share how their involvement in rural and remote health has made a difference.

Award winners will be recognized on May 29-31, 2026, at the
BC Rural Health Conference in Prince George, BC.

Nomination Deadline: Monday, December 15, 2025.

Questions about the awards? Please contact communications@rccbc.ca

What does Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) care look like in your practice?

Alcohol use affects patients in every community, often showing up as chronic conditions or repeat hospital visits. New national guidance shows that many more patients meet criteria for higher-risk use. 

Primary care teams are uniquely positioned to make a difference. Evidence-informed care can be integrated into existing visits, building on the trusted relationships you have with your patients, and leading to improved outcomes in just a few months. Here are actions you can take right now: 

1. Identify patients who can benefit.
2. Pick 1 or 2 patients. Build a treatment plan together according to their care goals.
3. Take small, consistent steps to provide care. That may include motivational interviewing, prescribing medications, and referring to community supports.

Have questions about where you can start or improve? Learn about tailored resources and supports by emailing substanceuse@healthqualitybc.ca or visiting healthqualitybc.ca.

Results from the BC Family Doctors Fee-for-Service Survey - What Did We Learn?

BC Family Doctors recently asked family physicians to share their experiences with fee-for-service billing.

Their detailed feedback highlighted both the strengths of the model and the urgent need for reform.

Learn more about what we heard. Read the insights and access the full "What did we Learn" report.

Increase to non-MSP rates for surgical assist fees

BC Family Doctors and the Section of Surgical Assistants are pleased to announce an increase to non-MSP rates for surgical assist fees and out-of-office premiums, ensuring fair compensation for family doctors and surgical assistants providing after-hours care.

(BC Family Doctors login required)

Not a member of BC Family Doctors? A two-week trial membership is available by emailing hello@bcfamilydocs.ca.

Upcoming Webinars & Events

Intro to mini-practice profiles for specialists
Presented by Doctors of BC and Dr Paul Hertz.
November 5: Register for the event.

EMR skill building – ask a coach – OSCAR
Presented by Doctors of BC’s Doctors Technology Office (DTO).
November 12: Join the mailing list to get the registration link.

Finding your way in teamwork workshop
Presented by Rural Coordination Centre of BC.
November 18: Register for the workshop.

Recognizing hematologic malignancies in primary care
Presented by BC Cancer Primary Care Program.
November 20: Register for the session here.

Bringing Maternity Care Home: Dawson Creek’s Chickadee Clinic

In Dawson Creek, a collaborative care team is reshaping maternity care for rural families. Launched in 2021, the Chickadee Maternity Collaborative combines midwifery, physician, and nursing care to provide more time, support, and connection for patients while enhancing the well-being of providers. Learn more about how the Chickadee Clinic is helping expectant parents in rural communities stay close to home.

This project is supported by the Rural Obstetrical & Maternity Sustainability Program (ROAM), a program of the Joint Standing Committee on Rural Issues—one of four Joint Collaborative Committees. Learn more about ROAM, which is delivered through the Rural Coordination Centre of BC and funded by the Joint Standing Committee on Rural Issues.

Exploring Family Physician and Nurse Practitioner Perceptions on Pharmacist Expanded Scope in Primary Care Networks in British Columbia (ExPANDED-PCN)

Share your perspectives on pharmacist expanded scope activities in primary care

Are you a family physician or nurse practitioner providing longitudinal care in BC? Tobi Obatusin, a pharmacy resident, and Dr. Charles Au, principal investigator, are conducting a research study exploring your perceptions of pharmacist expanded scope of practice activities, such as prescribing and adapting prescriptions, within Primary Care Networks (PCNs). Your insights will provide an essential perspective on how pharmacists’ roles can best support patient care in team-based primary care settings. 

What is Involved?

• A short anonymous online survey that will take about 10 to 15 minutes to complete
• Scenario-based, multiple-choice, and two short-answer questions
• Opportunity to enter an optional draw for one of four $25 Canadian e-gift cards

Eligibility

Family physicians and nurse practitioners providing longitudinal care to patients in BC.

How to Participate

Click this link to access the survey by December 31, 2025. Thank you for considering participating in this research.

In/Reform: A cross-provincial qualitative research programme exploring primary care payment reform and workload

Seeking Interview Participants

About You - We want to hear from family physicians and nurse practitioners working in community - based primary care clinics - about their workload & family physicians compensated by Longitudinal Family Physician (LFP) in British Columbia about their experiences with the new payment model.

About Us - In/Reform: A cross-provincial qualitative research programme exploring primary care payment reform and workload is led by Dr Lindsay Hedden (lindsay_hedden@sfu.ca) in British Columbia, in collaboration with researchers in Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Ontario.

Commitment - A minimum of 1 interview, 45 minutes to 1 hour in length.

Flexibility - Phone or Zoom interview at a time of your choosing.

Compensation - An honorarium will be offered in appreciation of your time.

Interested? - Please register your interest in participating by completing our short screening survey: surveymonkey.ca/r/InReform

Oceanside Hospice Society

The Oceanside Hospice Society serves individuals and families experiencing end-of-life, care-giving and bereavement in the area stretching from Deep Bay to Nanoose, and west to Errington and Whiskey Creek
We strive to provide links in the continuum of care by supporting care giving at home, in hospital or the palliative care unit at Trillium and at community care facilities.
Please contact us at 250.752.6227 or visit www.oceansidehospice.com for further information.

Divisions Dispatch

The latest news from the provincial team and complementary organizations.

Please click here for updates including:

• LFP Payment Model updates
• Webinars and continuing medical education (CME)

Divisions in the News

Divisions in the News
See what is going on in other divisions around BC:

https://divisionsbc.ca/provincial/news-and-events