New Family Doctor Welcome

The Central Island Division of Family Practice would like to extend a warm welcome to Dr. Kendra Losch! Dr. Losch will be joining Dr. Wagenaar and Dr. Hadfield at Qualicum Medical at the beginning of March. Dr. Losch is coming to Qualicum Beach from Australia where she has been practicing as a full-time family physician. She has family in the Central Island region and is looking forward to settling near them. Dr. Losch will be working with Dr. Wagenaar as he prepares to retire and will gradually take on his patient panel. Welcome to our community Dr. Losch!

Maternity, Elder Sessions and Shared Care

Maternity Care, Oceanside

Dr. Kelly Hadfield is taking any referrals for perinatal care for Oceanside. If you have any pregnant women in your panel in Oceanside, please consider referring to Dr. Hadfield, as she is local.

Shared Care Port Alberni
Shared Care project has begun in Port Alberni bringing together Specialists and GPs. This project will focus on offering support to remote First Nations surrounding Port Alberni and the West Coast.

For more information and if you are interested in participating, please get a hold of Tina Biello at tbiello@cidivision.ca

COPD CME in Port Alberni
Led by Dr. Ian Warbrick
Save the date - Tuesday March 19th 5:30-7:30 pm
More information will be emailed out in the next few weeks.

Elder Sessions – Four Medicines for Building Relationship

First Nation engagement sessions are being offered in collaboration with Port Alberni PCN and Nuu-chah-nulth First Nation Elders.
Providers who are currently engaged or considering applying for upcoming Allied Health roles via PCN are highly encouraged to attend, as cultural sensitivity is part of the agreement in having these roles. Sessionals will be paid.

Each session will have 1-3 Nuu-chah-nulth Elders and involve an activity. See below.
This is an invitation to take part in cultural activities and teachings and build relationship with our Indigenous partners.

Dinner will be served
Usma building in the back room:
4227 6th Ave. Port Alberni

There is only 1 session left. Please RSVP to asalvage@cidivsion.ca

Session 4
Thursday, March 14, 2024 5:30 – 7:00 pm
Paint Cedar Feather

Contribute to Advancing Long COVID Care: Survey for Physicians and NPs

Our team from the Interior Health Research Department is currently conducting a crucial study aimed at gaining insights into the perspectives of physicians and nurse practitioners (NPs) when caring for patients with Long COVID. We believe that your valuable perspectives will significantly contribute to the success of our research.

This research project is being conducted by the Interior Health Research Department, focusing on understanding physicians' and NPs perspectives when caring for patients with Long COVID. As we strive to enhance our understanding of the challenges and successes in caring for patients with Long-COVID, we invite you to share your valuable experiences through our anonymous survey. Your insights will play a crucial role in improving educational resources, supports, and services for both caregivers and patients alike. The survey is entirely optional and should take no more than 15 minutes to complete. Your responses will remain confidential, and the survey will close on April 1, 2024. Additionally, for those interested in more in-depth discussions, we will be hosting focus groups in early 2024.

Click here to link to the survey

Our team consists of:

• Dr. Barbara Buckley (PhD, Principal Investigator);
• Dr. Dee Taylor (PhD, Corporate Director of Research);
• Dr. Kathleen Scullion (PhD, Practice Lead in Research & Knowledge Translation); and 
• Danielle Wittal (Research Coordinator, MSc, RTT)

If you have any questions or would like further details, please do not hesitate to contact:Danielle Wittal: Danielle.wittal@interiorhealth.ca and/or Dr. Barbara Buckley: Barbara.buckley@interiorhealth.ca

Thank you for considering our request, and we look forward to the possibility of collaboration.

Best Regards,
Danielle, Dr. Buckley, Dr. Taylor and Dr. Scullion

Drivers Medical Exams for Unattached Patients

Dr. Pieter Swart is kindly offering to do Drivers Medical Exams for any Oceanside patients without a primary care provider. All patients will be required to have routine lab work prior to the examination appointment. Any abnormalities will be followed up on by Dr. Swart.
The cost will be: $226.00 for yellow forms and $151.00 for blue. Unattached patients can contact Dr. Swart office directly at 250-752-3284.

Super Medical Office Assistant (MOA) available :

The Central Island Division of Family Practice is pleased to announce a new service for our members. Super MOA Kathy is now available to help your clinic and staff with billing support (LFP and FFS) from set-up to day-to-day billing issues/questions, running reports, MedAccess support, or any other issues that should come up for your Medical Office Assistants.

Kathy has a wealth of knowledge to share from her incredible background working in medical offices for the past 20 years. She can meet you virtually or in-person.
If interested, please contact Jennifer Taylor, Recruitment and Operations Coordinator: jtaylor@cidivision.ca or 250-240-8798.

CME with Dr. Ramm Hering

As you might recall, Dr. Ramm Hering met with the Divisions Collaborative several months ago and the idea was floated to host a CME educational session providing guidance for those working in primary care who are supporting patients struggling with substance use.

The webinar is now scheduled for Wednesday, March 13th and is open to Family Physicians, Family Medicine Residents, Nurse Practitioners, & Allied Health Providers.

Breaking Chains: Supporting Patients Struggling with Substance Use. Please click here for information and to REGISTER

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
• Updated BC Cancer screening report titles
• Divisions invited to meet with BC Cancer Cervix Screening Program to prepare for transition from cytology to HPV primary screening
• East Kootenay family doctor develops guide to reducing environmental impact of health care
• July 19 webinar | Antidepressants and substance use
• July 20 webinar | Updates on risks and harms of alcohol use
• Opioid use disorder training for doctors and their clinical teams: LOUD in PC Collaborative
   

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