PCN 2.0 Update: Expansion & Optimization

Following the approval of nearly $1.6 million in new annual PCN funds by the Ministry of Health in August, we have begun the process of hiring approximately 12 new PCN staff to support clinics not previously part of the KB PCN. These will include both co-located staff joining individual clinic teams, and additional regional staff to support the KB PCN as a whole. 

To date we have posted the following new PCN positions:

• 0.8 FTE RN to support Ancron and Kootenay Lake Medical clinics in Nelson
• 0.5 FTE RN to support Castlegar Medical Associates in Castlegar
• 0.6 FTE Registered Dietitian to support all KB clinics through the regional hub

Additional positions will be posted as new clinics have been onboarded into the PCN. In conjunction with this expansion process, we continue work on PCN optimization by working to improve the functioning of existing PCN clinic teams and increase patient attachment. To support this optimization focus, over the summer 29 interviews were conducted with PCN physicians, nurse practitioners, clinical staff, office managers and MOAs focusing on a variety of areas relating to clinic workflows and referral processes. The results of these interviews will be used to host a series of discipline- and clinic-specific optimization discussions over the next several months. 

For more information on PCN expansion and optimization, please reach out to Julius Halaschek-Wiener or Nikko Snyder, PCN co-leads for KB Division, or Erin Fazzino, PCN Manager, IH.

Repatriating KB Health Online Patients to Clinics Closer to Home

The vision of KB Health Online is to be a temporary home for complex patients that are not attached to a bricks and mortar clinic in their community. With the arrival of new primary care providers in both Rossland and Rock Creek, there is now an opportunity to repatriate KB Health Online patients to clinics closer to home. This will in turn create new space for KB Health to accept new unattached patients from across the region.  

In collaboration with the Health Connect Registry, the KB Health Online team is currently developing their workflow for transitioning these patients back to their home communities. This process is termed second stage attachment.

Cultural Safety

Truth & Reconciliation in Health Care Artwork Available to Clinics Free-of-Charge
A symbolic art print is now available to honour your commitment to providing culturally safe health care for Indigenous patients in BC.  Doctors of BC and the Joint Collaborative Committees commissioned Indigenous artist sɬə́məxʷ (Rain Pierre) to design a print for display in BC medical offices to help create a welcoming space for Indigenous patients. This artwork is meant to inspire conversations, show support, and signify the importance of culturally safe care. You can read more about the symbolism of the artwork here.

"The Light of Irene" is available for free to every doctor and medical practice in British Columbia.  Prints have been ordered for all PCN clinics and your clinic should receive one shortly.

Cultural Safety Resources

• Cultural Safety Talking Circles: 2nd Tuesday of each month 12:00-1:00 pm (next date is Nov 8th).  Have you attended in the past?  You are welcome to join us again.  Each Talking Circle is unique and guided by the participants’ questions and explorations.  Talking Circles are safe, confidential and a great way to connect with our Aboriginal Health team.   Register here.
• Cultural Safety Toolkit: Visit kbculturalsafety.org to explore the 'Cultivating Culturally Safe Care in Your Clinic' Toolkit, an inventory of Aboriginal patient resources to support and enhance the practice of Indigenous cultural safety and humility in KB.

GP Training Opportunity | CBT Skills Program 

Two KB family physicians will be selected to be trained as facilitators for the Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Skills Virtual Group Program. Through the CME accredited training program, these physicians will become equipped to deliver the program for virtual groups and/or in-person groups in the region.

In addition to the training opportunity, physicians are invited to join a CBT physician wellness group and are encouraged to refer patients to the CBT Skills Program (there is no waitlist!)

Latest Quarterly Report Now Available

The PCN quarterly report for January 1 to March 31, 2022 (Q4 2021/22) and April 1 2022 to June 30, 2022 (Q1 2022/23) is now available. This report highlights key activities and outcomes associated with PCN implementation, presents insights into process and outcome indicators, and highlights some of the actions planned to address identified challenges.  Some key data points from this report regarding encounters and attachment are presented in the Snapshot at the top of this email. 

You can dive deeper into the five-page Executive Summary and full report here.  And don’t forget to check out our PCN patient success stories on page 35. 

Welcoming New Staff 

Amanda Crockett, NP, Rock Creek Health Centre (Oct 24)
Tessa Hamilton, NP, Monashee Medical Clinic (Oct 3)