|
2021 – A Year of Change and Challenge
To Members of the Central Island Division,
As 2021 draws to a close and we individually celebrate the season I wanted to do a quick update about what Central Island Division has accomplished in this year.
Clearly, it has been a challenging year for our members, our staff and our communities. As COVID drags on we see the level of stress and burn out climbing in our world. In unprecedented numbers, people are leaving their jobs to either switch careers, retire or find new opportunities. Clinics have closed, some have opened, and we continue to struggle to lower the unattached patient numbers in the Central Island.
That being said, it still amazes me how resilient our members are, as well as creative, generative and collaborative. While system change, such as the Patient Medical Home projects can be met with resistance and negativity, there are always others who champion the change and work together to try to ensure patients get better care and family practitioners’ burdens are eased, even a little bit. For those folks, I am very grateful.
Here are a few of our accomplishments in 2021:
Patient Attachment
-
Switch from Patient Attachment Mechanism to Health Connect Registry
-
Oceanside Health Connect Registry: Active patients awaiting attachment: 5244
-
Patients attached through the Health Connect registry in 2021: 642
-
Patients attached by other means: 75
Recruitment
-
Addition of 4 new physicians in the Oceanside area
-
Addition of 1 new Nurse Practitioner
Long-Term Care Initiative (LTCI)
Using change management funds to pay for the initial outlay on licensing of an online On Call system to create a more cost effective tool to take the place of the answering service (TigerTel) serving our Oceanside physicians
Patient Medical Home Extension and Division Projects
-
Shared Care psychiatry with Dr. Saffy and 6 GPs continue their shared care work
-
GPSC maternity care initiative for vulnerable communities
-
HPV Pilot project
-
Minor Tenant Improvement Project
-
PMH Innovation – Virtual Care Project, Palliative network, MOA network
Primary Care Network in Port Alberni
-
First Nation engagement sessions with Nuu-chah-nulth elders and Port Alberni family practitioners and community
-
Development of Service Plan for PCN in Port Alberni
-
Extensive consultation in the Port Alberni and surrounding indigenous communities
-
Writing and leadership groups formed to guide the process
-
Service Plan is ready to be submitted to Ministry of Health
Oceanside Primary Care Network (PCN)
-
Hiring of physician for Priority Response Team – PRT active
-
Community Pharmacist in practices
-
Indigenous Task Force
-
Renovation of new Flowerstone clinic in Qualicum Beach
-
Nurses in Practice launched
Thanks to our talented and dedicated staff for their great work this year and to the Board for their support, guidance and leadership.
As well, thank you for all of the member support we have received in 2021 and all the volunteer activities that help to make the Division a success. It is appreciated greatly.
If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to contact me at eclark@cidivision.ca or 250-703-6159.
Have a wonderful holiday season and a successful New Year!
Evelyn Clark Executive Director
|
|
|
PMH Update
Shared Care, Psychiatry:
Follow up with psychiatry shared care: Tina Biello has connected with 6 interested GPs with a schedule for sessions with Dr. Saffy. These sessions started the beginning of 2021 and will now go until end of March 2022.
Dr. Saffy’s schedule is full now. However, if anyone is interested in Oceanside who hasn’t been scheduled, please get in touch.
First Nations:
First Nation engagement sessions were held in collaboration with RCCBC, Nuuchahnulth First Nations and Central Island Division. Each session had 3 elders from Nuuchahnulth territories and 3-5 primary care providers.
Thanks to all who attended. We have now completed the video editing and we will begin sharing these here two at a time, as there are eight. The link is the short version. In the description below video, you will see link to longer video, if you have time and are interested in watching.
Thanks so much for all who came. Final gathering and feast to celebrate above that was planned for September is postponed until further notice due to Covid numbers. We will let you know when we have a date.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVWUD14dXxs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PA0yJYAhdlc
Similar cultural safety sessions are being planned for Oceanside First Nations and primary care providers.
RDN News, Rx for Health
In February 2022, The Regional District of Nanaimo Recreation Department will re-launch the Rx for Health program in Oceanside. The program has been a tremendous success since March 2017 f the support that we have received from the local medical professionals has been outstanding. The new program will have some minor adjustments and we welcome any feedback, suggestions or comments on how it can be improved.
The Rx for health will still offer a $40 discount for recreation activities with the RDN and financial assistance is available for low-income residents needing ongoing assistance. If you would like to provide feedback, ask questions of just be sure you are on the list for a package, please contact Jennifer Hopewell, Recreation Coordinator, jhopewell@rdn.bc.ca or 250-248-3252.
|
|
|
Programs Update
Port Alberni PCN Service Plan
The Port Alberni PCN Service Plan has been presented to the membership, Division Board, CSC, and Island Health Primary Care Executive. Once we have confirmed the plan has been approved by all, it will be submitted to the Ministry of Health. Many thanks to all the team members that worked so hard to get this done! Physician lead Dr. Anienne Marsay, NP Lead Fran Chiste, Dr. Ian Warbrick, and all members and partners in Port Alberni who collaborated on this project to complete the servicce plan.
Space Needed in Oceanside for Addictions Medicine
Dr. Sue Booth, who resides in Courtenay and has an addictions medicine practice in Courtenay and Campbell River, would like to find a clinic location in the Oceanside area to rent out for 1 day/week for an addictions medical practice here. If you have space in your clinic and would like to discuss this with Dr. Booth, please get in touch with Sharon Todd at 250-937-0611 or stodd@cidivision.ca for contact info.
|
|
|
Warm Wishes from The Oceanside PCN Team
During this special time of the year, we want to make sure you know how much we appreciate you. We sincerely hope your holiday season is full of health and happiness (and a few of your most sinful desserts!)
Warmest wishes,
The Oceanside Primary Care Network team
Kristie Lamirande, Manager
Andrea Smilski, Change Management Lead
|
|
|
Upcoming Retirement
Dr. Jacques Simenhoff has announced his retirement, effective February 11, 2022. We wish Dr. Simenhoff all the best, and hope he has plenty of rest and relaxation in store for his retirement!
|
|
|
Priority Response Team – OHC An initiative of the Oceanside Primary Care Network
Hello, my name is Dr. Elisabeth Crisci and I recently joined the PRT.
I would like an opportunity to meet with your clinicians over lunch to present the ‘new and enhanced’ Priority Response Team which is set to start accepting referrals at the end of November 2021.
I will go over the basic program characteristics and scope, patient eligibility criteria and the referrals process. I will be presenting some concrete examples of how the PRT can work collaboratively with you to avoid hospitalizations.
Please let me know when would be a good time for me to come over and meet your clinicians to present the PRT in the next few weeks. My email is: elisabeth.crisci@islandhealth.ca
I very much look forward to hearing from you!
Sincerely,
Elisabeth Crisc
|
|
|
NEW Child and Youth MH Referral Resources
Child Health BC, BC Children’s Hospital and BCCDC have collaborated to provide pediatric care providers with two new resources:
One side of the resources includes information about Foundry BC’s drop-in and scheduled virtual counselling appointments and tools and resources for young people aged 12-24 and while the other side, provides information about the Kelty Mental Health Resource Center which helps children, youth and their families/caregivers across the province navigate
the mental health system, connect with peer support, and access resources and tools to support wellbeing.
|
|
|
Dermatologist Introduction: Dr: C. S. Sladden
Courtenay Medical Associates is pleased to share our newest member of the team and needed Dermatologist for the valley.
Dr. Chris S Sladden PGCE, MBBch, MRCGP, CCFP, FRCPC, FAADD Dermatologist has moved to the valley from Kamloops
Please join us in welcoming Dr. Sladden to our community and please send your patient referrals to him at 250-338-1245 fax or call 250-334-4411.
Dr. Sladden is currently able to book patients in same week if needed and can also accommodate same day with a direct phone call from the referring doctor.
Please see his information on Pathways
Pathways | "Chris" Christopher Sladden (pathwaysbc.ca)
Thank you,
Fulvia Hurst
Office Manager
Courtenay Medical Associates
|
|
|
Therapeutics Initiative
Please visit our website here.
Therapeutics Letter (click here)
This is a bimonthly publication targeting identified problematic therapeutic issues in a brief, simple and practical manner. The process leading up to publication involves a rigorous, systematic literature review by different working groups of the Therapeutics Initiative, the creation of a draft which is circulated for comment among a sizeable group of over 100 local, national and international specialists with expertise in the particular therapeutic area and the commission of original artwork/illustration. The message is developed collaboratively by different working groups of the Therapeutics Initiative. The current Editor in Chief is Dr. Tom Perry, Chair of the Education Working Group of the Therapeutics Initiative.
|
|
|
Self-Management BC: Upcoming Workshops for January 2022- Registration Open!
As a valued part of our health and wellness community, we invite you to click here for a link to our monthly “Hot Sheet” that summarizes the upcoming remote workshops offered by Self-Management BC for January 2022.
Please feel free to print and post this sheet in an appropriate area of your office, or email/fax it to other health care providers/community partners who may be interested in referring their patients, clients, or colleagues to our programs. If you would like us to send a selection of our brochures to display in your office, let us know by replying to this email.
Please note that workshops are scheduled on an ongoing basis throughout the year. For more information, please click here.
In addition to our 6-week Self-Management Workshops, we offer the following:
-
Self-Management Health Coach Program: this is a 1 to 1 telephone support program for individuals needing the extra support to achieve health goals. Each individual is paired with a coach and receives a weekly, 30-minute phone call for 3 to 6 months. Coaches are volunteers who may be living with chronic health conditions, and are passionate to help others to achieve wellness. For more information, please click here.
If you have any questions regarding our programs, please email us at: selfmgmt@uvic.ca
|
|
|
Invitation for FPs to join BC ECHO for Post-COVID-19 Recovery Hub Team
Join the BC ECHO for Post-COVID-19 Recovery Hub Team!
The Post-COVID-19 Interdisciplinary Clinical Care Network (PC-ICCN) developed a continuing professional development program, BC ECHO for Post-COVID-19 Recovery, which is a free-virtual learning community of health care providers who use instructive and case-based learning to improve care for patients recovering from symptoms post-COVID-19.
Our Hub Team leads the design of the curriculum, facilitates sessions, presents instructive lessons, and provides personalized recommendations to case presenters. As family practitioners (FP) are the primary target audience, we are seeking additional FP representation on the Hub Team to provide further feedback and guidance to the curriculum direction and development. There is sessional funding provided, so your time will be protected.
If you are interested in this opportunity, please email Raveena Garcha (Project Leader, Virtual Health & Shared Care) at rgarcha1@providencehealth.bc.ca to learn more. While we would like to include everyone who is interested, we would like to keep the group relatively small to facilitate active decision.
Raveena Garcha MPH
Project Leader, Virtual Health & Shared Care
Providence Health Care
Email: rgarcha1@providencehealth.bc.ca
|
|
|
Recruiting Family Physicians for Pediatric Eating Disorders Consultation Session
My name is Shannon Vogels and I’m a Project Manager with the mental health programs at BC Children’s Hospital. I am reaching out in hopes that you can support the promotion of a physician consultation and learning session that we are hosting on January 18th, in partnership with Shared Care BC.
A short blurb was shared in a recent Divisions Dispatch, encouraging physicians to register for this session. We are hoping to recruit one physician from each Division across the province to participate. I am reaching out because so far, no one from your Division has connected with us to register, and I wanted to extend another invitation before we give the remaining slots to physicians from other Divisions.
Please click here for a promotional poster with further details, including that physicians will be compensated for their participation. I was hoping you might be able to share this information with physicians in your Division who may be interested in participating.
Interested physicians can contact Pam Pollock at ppollock@cw.bc.ca to register by December 24th.
Please let me know if you have any questions, and thank you for your support!
Shannon Vogels, Project Manager (she/her)
Child, Youth & Reproductive Mental Health
Program Improvement & Health Promotion and Prevention
BC Children’s Hospital
Office: 604-707-6391
Cell: 778-990-7661
Email: shannon.vogels@cw.bc.ca
|
|
|
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.
https://divisionsbc.ca/provincial/news-events/divisions-dispatch
|
|
|
Divisions in the News
See what is going on in other divisions around BC:
https://www.divisionsbc.ca/provincial/news-and-events/in-the-news
| DATE |
DIVISION |
PUBLICATION |
TITLE |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
