Partnering to Advocate for Family Doctors 

Your BC Family Doctors team has been busy advocating and working towards positive change. This past week, we attended the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) Convention, where elected officials and community leaders from across BC meet to discuss local issues. Prior to UBCM we had met with a host of political leaders including the new Minister of Health, the Honourable Ravi Kahlon and MLA Anna Kindy, official opposition Critic for Health- and we reconnected with both on site.

At UBCM, BC Family Doctors President Dr. Birinder Narang and senior leadership, alongside our Doctors of BC colleagues, spoke with municipal leaders from small and large communities around the province about the important role communities play in retaining and recruiting physicians. We shared that the most effective approaches bring local governments, physicians, health authorities, and partners together to understand what doctors need to establish practices, build relationships, and remain in a community for the long term.  

Our participation at UBCM brought the family physician perspective to these discussions, strengthened relationships with community leaders, and reinforced the value of involving local physicians in recruitment and retention efforts. 

Our members continue to raise concerns about the challenges facing family doctors, including administrative burdens and digital connectivity. We hear this and continue to advocate on your behalf, working with partners and government to improve the system of care for you and your patients.