Patient Member, Victoria Division of Family Practice and Island Health Primary Care Network Working Group

Become a partner in the evolution of primary care services within the Victoria, Saanich and Oak Bay regions! We’re seeking patient partners who have personally received or supported a family member receiving primary care (family doctor, nurse practitioner, walk-in clinic) and community services (home & community care and/ or mental health & substance use) to join our working group and contribute to improvements in areas of access and communication for these regions.

Open to: Patient partners in Victoria, Saanich and Oak Bay regions

Lead Organization or Department

Island Health and Victoria Division of Family Practice

Aim

In British Columbia, the Ministry of Health has set direction to improve patient access to primary and community care services through primary care networks. Primary care includes family doctors, nurse practitioners, walk-in clinics, etc.; community services include home & community care and/or mental health & substance use Patients and/or their family members will provide perspective, guidance and recommendations on areas of care, navigation and communication that are important to patients and their families. For example, what is working, what is not working, what are the barriers, and what is needed to better support patients and families in their journey of care through a more interconnected primary care network.

Level of Engagement

This opportunity is at the level of collaborate on the spectrum of engagement. The promise to you is that the health care partner will work together with you to formulate solutions and incorporate your advice and recommendations into the decisions to the maximum extent possible.

Eligibility

• Open to patient partners in Victoria, Saanich and Oak Bay
• Patients and/or family members who have experience with primary and community care services for persons who are medically complex or frail or for persons who have or are receiving support through mental health & substance use services
• A level of comfort in comprehension to read documents/reports relating to primary and community care services
• A level of comfort to participate in meeting discussions with family doctors and health service leaders to share patient perspectives and patient journey needs
• Please note:
  • This opportunity is not open to patient partners who are currently employed by Island Health.
  • The placement process for this opportunity may include an informal interview between the volunteer and the health care partner.
  • Applicants must have previously attended a PVN orientation session and completed the Volunteer Agreement. If you have not attended an orientation session but you are interested in this opportunity, please contact Ashley Clark directly to see if accommodations may be possible.

Logistics

• Vacancies: 2
• Date/time: Evening meetings from 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm every two to four weeks
• Location: Royal Jubilee Hospital, Victoria, BC

Reimbursement

Pre-approved transportation & parking costs to attend meetings will be reimbursed by Island Health. Meals will be provided at evening meetings.

Background

Primary care networks will reorganize the way family physicians, nurse practitioners, allied health providers, health authority community services and community organizations work together in a geographic area by:

• Strengthening teamwork, communication and links
• Bringing services together around GPs and patients
• Creating capacity in a community to increase access

Core members of the Primary Care Network Working Group (PCN WG) include family physicians, Island Health community service leaders, First Nations Health Authority Leadership, two patient partners and Victoria Division/Island Health project supports. Additionally, three clinical working groups will develop recommendations on short term and long term improvements comprising of resources, processes, and timelines needed to achieve an interconnected primary care network. The PCN WG will review recommendations, seek additional input from community stakeholders (i.e., community organizations, NGOs, acute care, residential care, municipal, regional, provincial levels of government) and develop a service plan for Primary Care Networks in Victoria, Saanich and Oak Bay.

Health Care Partner Contact Information

Ashley Clark
Engagement Leader, Patient & Public Engagement | Vancouver Island
250.812.8908
aclark@bcpsqc.ca