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Tip to optimize your practice: One-on-one support for EMR/PAS reconciliation
Are you feeling behind with keeping your EMR and PAS panel lists up to date? The Practice Support Program can provide one-on-one, supported by a tool that simplifies the process and makes it part of your routine.
Reach out to psp@doctorsofbc.ca for help
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Short on certified assessment credits? We can help
If you are looking to earn more certified assessment credits this year, you can optimize your practice at the same time.
The FPSC’s Practice Support Program can help you optimize your practice, enhance your use of health technology, and manage your patient panel more effectively. Quality improvement activities are certified by the College of Family Physicians of Canada and the BC Chapter for up to 15 Mainpro+® Certified Assessment Activity credits.
Learn more about compensation and certification for practice improvements here
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Cervix Screening: Updates to the HPV Primary Screening Age Criteria for Provider-Collected Liquid-Based Cytology (LBC) Samples
As part of the phased transition to HPV primary screening across BC, effective May 2026, provider-collected LBC samples for patients aged 40 and older will be triaged to HPV primary screening. In January 2027, provider-collected LBC samples for patients aged 25 and older will be triaged to HPV primary screening.
For more information, refer to the Cervix Screening Program Fact Sheet and the Cervix Screening Program Overview.
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Supporting Patients Aged 75+ with Breast Screening Decision-Making
In BC, screening mammograms are available to most women and many Two-Spirit, transgender and non-binary individuals aged 75 and older if they are in good general health. While the BC Cancer Breast Screening Program does not send reminder letters to patients aged 75 and older, patients can get a screening mammogram every 1 or 2 years based on their risk level.
A referral is not required, but patients are encouraged to discuss with a health care provider about whether screening is still beneficial for them and their health before they book their screening mammogram.
For more information, refer to the new Fact Sheet: Supporting Patients Aged 75 and Older with Breast Screening Decision-Making.
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Health Gateway Notifications for BC Cancer Screening Letters
People in British Columbia with a Health Gateway account can now receive email and/or text (SMS) notifications when letters from BC Cancer’s breast, cervix, colon and lung screening programs that require action are added to a user’s account – for example, a reminder that it’s time to screen or results that need follow-up.
BC Cancer will continue to send screening reminders and results by mail when follow-up is required. There will be no changes to how BC Cancer communicates patient screening information to health care providers.
Encourage your patients to sign up for Health Gateway before they get screened to see their screening letters online and to receive email and/or text (SMS) notifications. Order free promotional resources, such as posters, for your clinic at www.screeningbc.ca/order-materials.
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Separate referral forms for Geriatric Specialty Services and Community Health Services
Effective date: June 1, 2026
To: Referrers to Community Health Services and Geriatric Specialty Services
From: Island Health Community Health Services and Geriatric Specialty Services
Topic: Separate referral forms for Geriatric Specialty Services and Community Health Services.
Contact: jody.huml@islandhealth.ca
Island Health has introduced separate referral forms for Geriatric Specialty Services (GSS) and Community Health Services (CHS).
Key Changes:
The combined CHS + GSS referral form has been retired. Referrers must now use:
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A new, standalone GSS referral form for all referrals to community-based GSS programs.
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An updated CHS referral form for community referrers for all other CHS programs. Acute process for CHS remains the same.
Where the joint form was previously used, referrals are now submitted using the appropriate form, based on the service requested.
Important – Regional Exception
While the GSS referral form is available island-wide, the current CHS–GSS form remains in use for CHS referrals in the Comox Valley and Campbell River. These areas will transition to the updated separate CHS form at a later stage.
Access
Both referral forms are available through Pathways BC:
GSS referral form
CHS referral form
Background
A regional review identified the need for a dedicated GSS referral form to support clearer and more consistent access to Geriatric Specialty Services across Island Health. In parallel, an Island wide CHS referral form has been introduced, replacing multiple regional versions with one standardized form.
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Navigating Menopause and Perimenopause Matters: A New pathway for menopause care in BC
Join us online for the official launch of BC's new Provincial Menopause Care Pathway. This is a practical resource designed to support family physicians, nurse practitioners, specialists, and other providers involved in menopause care.
Developed with input from family physicians and women's health specialists, the pathway brings together key components of menopause care into a clear, accessible format to support clinical decision making, patient conversations, and timely referrals.
This session will provide an overview of the pathway, highlight how it can be used in practice, and offer an opportunity to ask questions and connect with others supporting menopause care across BC
Session Details:
Date: Thursday June 18
Time: 6pm - 8pm
Facilitators:
Dr. Dedysha Hollowenko (Complex Care Medical Clinic) and Dr. Tracy Monk (Pathways BC)
Location: Virtual on Zoom (Click here to register)
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A Practical, MSP-Covered Option for Patients with Stress-Related Conditions
FOR PHYSICIANS
Webinar: A Practical, MSP-Covered Option for Patients with Stress-Related Conditions
Please join Drs Mark Sherman and Jennifer Lyall and the BC Association for Living Mindfully for a 45-minute webinar introducing the Art of Living Mindfully (ALM) program.
ALM is an MSP-covered, 8-week physician-led group medical visit program designed to support patients with:
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anxiety, depression, and insomnia
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chronic pain and burnout
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stress-exacerbated conditions (e.g., hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, autoimmune conditions)
In this session, we will:
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walk through how the program works in practice
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explain the referral process
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share observed patient outcomes
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leave time for live Q&A
Session options:
If you have patients who may benefit from structured, physician-supported mindfulness-based care, this session will give you a clear sense of whether ALM is a fit.
About BCalm
BCalm’s MSP-covered 8-week program, The Art of Living Mindfully, supports adults managing anxiety, depression, chronic pain, and more through mindfulness, CBT-informed approaches, and physician-led group visits.
Click here to access more info and the referral form.
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FPSC learning and development: Mentorship and networking opportunities for family physicians
Are you a new or experienced family physician wanting to expand your practice into long-term care, inpatient care, pregnancy and newborn care, or longitudinal family practice? The new FPSC provincial mentorship program is a great place to start.
Mentorship and networking opportunities are available for family physicians across the province to build confidence and expand their scope of practice. Participants will be compensated for their time and matched with an experienced peer physician mentor to receive tailored guidance, virtually or in person.
Learn more and apply here
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Doctors of BC: Physician Wellness Network call for new members
The Physician Wellness Network of the Physician Health Program is seeking new members ahead of its upcoming spring gathering on June 11, 2026. Organizations with physician involvement that provide physician wellness or support services to physicians and medical students in BC, including Divisions of Family Practice and Medical Staff Associations, are encouraged to join as members.
For more information, visit the PHP webpage
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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.
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Divisions Dispatch
The latest news from the provincial team and complementary organizations.
Please click here for updates including:
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LFP Payment Model updates
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Webinars and continuing medical education (CME)
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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
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