Dear Kootenay Boundary CSC, PCN teams, clinics, and partners,

In December 2022, the Province’s Family Practice Services Committee (FPSC, formerly GPSC) shared preliminary information about upcoming changes to the governance of Primary Care Networks (PCNs) and Collaborative Services Committees (CSCs). These changes may impact many of us delivering Primary Care in KB. 

An overview of what is known to date is provided in the ‘FPSC PCN Governance Refresh’ document. Many details have not yet been determined provincially, but we do have a timeline of what to expect over the next few months (see below). Further, we are confident that clarity will increase over time, while we continue to deliver high quality team-based care to the residents of KB. 

The proposed changes envision a refreshed CSC where the integration of care is optimized, and a more clinic-focused PCN. Specifically:

• CSCs will be formally positioned as the partnership table for integration of five key streams of local services: PCN, health authority (HA) community services, Aboriginal focused primary care services, community-based medical specialists, and community pharmacy. The CSC will be co-chaired by family physicians, HA, and Aboriginal community partners.  

• PCNs will network and support all clinics delivering primary care services, including patient medical homes, walk-in clinics, UPCCs, CHCs, NP and maternity clinics, Aboriginal Services, HA-led primary care clinics and potentially PCN-led clinics. The PCN Steering Committee may be chaired by a family physician, appointed by the Division of Family Practice.

• Both governance tables will include community, patients and family caregivers.

• There will be increased flexibility to accommodate local circumstances for employment and contracting in the PCN. For example, in the future clinics could: hire core staff such as registered nurses and licensed practical nurses; hold service contracts for new-to-practice FPs and NPs; or maintain the status quo with HA continuing to hold contracts and employ on behalf of the PCN. 

• There will be an ongoing commitment to working with Aboriginal partners to ensure: the delivery of culturally safe care; ongoing work toward the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA); and involvement of Aboriginal partners in the planning and delivery of Primary Care Services as stated in the Province of British Columbia DRIPA Action Plan.

Information provided to date is very high level, and detailed information is not yet available. In addition, Provincial leaders have indicated that much of this change is optional. We can make most decisions about future PCN design locally. The tremendous success of our PCN to date is rooted in strong collaborative relationships between KB Division, Interior Health, Aboriginal and Patient partners, and we remain committed to this partnership. 

With so few tangible details, the prospect of these changes may be unsettling for some, particularly our GP, NP, and PCN staff delivering patient care on the front lines. We are dedicated to supporting these providers throughout this transition.

Over the next few months, a provincial PCN Governance Transition Working Group will develop more specific recommendations for the province. Andrew Earnshaw (KB Division, Executive Director) and Jason Giesbrecht (IH, Executive Director for Primary & Community Care Transformation) have been appointed to this Working Group. In Kootenay Boundary we will simultaneously undertake an engagement process with all of you, to help guide our approach locally. 

Please take a few minutes to review the summary document provided by the FPSC and contribute your questions and considerations to this form. As additional information becomes available, we will ensure that it is provided to you promptly.

Bart Knudsgaard
First Nations Partner
PCN Steering Committee co-chair, CSC co-chair 

Suzanne Lee
Director, Clinical Operations, KB Primary Care, Interior Health
PCN Steering Committee co-chair, CSC co-chair 

Dr. David Merry
KB Division Physician Lead
CSC co-chair 

Dr. Shelina Musaji
KB Division Board Member
PCN Steering Committee co-chair