Member, Primary Care Executive Implementation Steering Committee

Volunteer Opportunity
Would you like to be part of finding new ways to provide patients with the best quality health care services, at the right time and the right place, and to support patients in managing their own care? Join the Island Health’s Primary Care Executive Implementation Steering Committee (PCEIC) to help facilitate and support the implementation of primary care strategies and initiatives across the region!

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Lead Organization/Department
Island Health, Primary Care Strategy

Aim
The Primary Care Executive Implementation team brings together leaders from across our organization to ensure that patient and client health care needs are met at home and in the community through development and implementation of a primary care strategy. The team oversees and supports communities to establish Primary Care Networks (PCNs), which includes the integration of Urgent and Primary Care Centres (UPCCs), and Community Health Centres (CHCs). As a member of this committee you will contribute to Island-wide strategic planning and priority setting with respect to primary care implementation and also influence new policy and practices to enable the implementation of the region’s primary care strategy.

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 from the Island Health region
• Experience working with groups and committees
• Comfortable attending virtual or teleconference meetings via Zoom
• Understanding of health systems and large health care organizations is an asset.
• 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 Charmaine Niebergall directly to see if accommodations may be possible.

Logistics
• Number of vacancies: 2
• Date/Time: Currently this committee meets the fourth Tuesday of the month
from 2:30pm – 4:00pm.
• Location: Participation in meetings can be in person (if located in Victoria) when safe to do so or via teleconference/Zoom
• Commitment: 1 year with the possibility of renewal.

Reimbursement
No out of pocket expenses are anticipated for the virtual component of this engagement opportunity. However, if you meet the eligibility criteria but have concerns about your ability to participate, please contact Charmaine Niebergall cniebergall@bcpsqc.ca to see if support options are available. We are always seeking to better understand and reduce barriers to participation.

Background
Part of Island Health’s Strategic Framework is to provide comprehensive and seamless team-based care in robust connected neighbourhood hubs when and where people require it – from home to community. In 2017, the provincial government announced a shift in primary care policy direction, which has led to a shift in, and rapid expansion of service delivery, where there is an increased focus on the provision of timely and improved access to primary health care. The model is built on the concept of Primary Care Networks (PCNs). The PCNS are designed to provide robust, integrated team-based primary care across private practices, health authority owned/operated clinics, and non-profit clinics, effectively linking services and strengthening the continuity of care for patients.

Primary care priorities for 2020/21 are focused on:
-Continuing to plan and implement PCNs, with specific focus on achieving planned PCN staffing levels and coverage of PCNs across Island Health;
-Opening two additional Urgent Primary Care Centres (UPCCs) by March 31, 2021; and
-Supporting the development/refresh of additional Community Health Centres(CHCs) by March 31, 2021.

All primary care service models are planned, developed, and implemented in collaboration and partnership with local Divisions of Family Practice and First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) and patient partners. The attached document describes the relevant Ministry policies that guide the Health Authority’s primary care strategy.

Health Care Partner Contact Information

Charmaine Niebergall
Engagement Leader, Patient & Public Engagement | Vancouver Island
778.700.2064
cniebergall@bcpsqc.ca