A call to action for family doctors
…on Commission (TRC) has provided a clear path forward through its Calls to Action, specifically those focused on health (numbers 18-24). These calls highlight the need for healthcare providers to recognize the barriers Indigenous peoples face when accessing care and work actively to remove them. The TRC calls on all levels of government to: Recognize the current state of Indigenous health in Canada, which is a direct result of past government poli…
Prescribing health and climate action with PaRx
…vironmental behaviours, from saving energy and recycling to advocating for action on climate change. With the 2021 heat dome a recent memory and wildfire season a current reality, building support for restoring, expanding and connecting to nature in our communities is a crucial way to both reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and build resilience in our built environments, ourselves and our patients. So when we write nature prescriptions, we’re also d…
COVID-19
…unding to support your ongoing delivery of care. This list of our COVID-19 Actions and Achievements shows the hard work of your organization during this time of change. Download a PDF version here Economics – Billing Changes Assessment for COVID-19 Therapeutics Worked with MSP to develop temporary fee code T10046 to support the time and complexity of the care and care coordination related to COVID-19 treatment. Respiratory Immunization for patient…
Ongoing media coverage on BC’s Family Doctor Shortage
…rs’ workload CBC On the Coast (May 30): The BC Liberals are demanding more action on the healthcare staffing crisis in our province CBC The Early Edition (May 30): Med students say choosing family practice in BC these days comes at the cost of their own future and security CBC The Early Edition (May 27): Urgent and Primary Care Clinics are understaffed, according to documents released by the BC Liberals CTV News Vancouver (May 24): Time is money:…
Still in the news: BC’s Healthcare System
…rtage, some seeking private support Check News (Aug 10): Group calling for action on family doctor shortage holds rally at Ministry of Health CTV News (Aug 9): Temping doctors, orphaned patients: Turmoil continues in B.C. health-care system Check News (Aug 5): Eby emphasizes need for family doctor incentives, not just urgent primary care centres City News Everywhere (Aug 4): Talks drag on between B.C. government, doctors amid family physician shor…
Creating Solutions for Family Medicine: Member Survey Report
…to solve them. While the challenges are multifaceted, we are ready to take action—to improve patient care, enhance your wellbeing and work-life balance, and ensure a sustainable health care system for BC. Addressing these priorities will require collective action, encompassing family doctors, consultant specialists, health authorities, and government bodies. By working together and advocating strongly for family physicians, we can forge a stronger…
Canada needs a plan to tackle our rural healthcare crisis
…closures due to staffing shortages. SRPC is calling for immediate federal action, including: ✅ A national rural health workforce strategy ✅ Funding for recruitment, retention, and rural physician training ✅ Federal tax incentives for healthcare providers working in rural areas ✅ Pan-Canadian licensure to improve mobility for rural doctors Without swift action, rural healthcare will continue to decline, affecting people in all communities—rural an…
Recent media about the family doctor shortage
…CBC British Columbia: Green Party calls on B.C. government to take urgent action on family doctor shortage Global News Health: Awareness campaign launched as thousands of Okanagan residents remain without a physician BC Family Doctors: Shortage of family doctors prompts awareness campaign BC’s Provincial Legislature: BC Today- Daily Report, April 7, 2022 Chek Watch Local: Langford woman takes fight for family doctor to the B.C. legislature CTV Ne…
First Steps Towards Reconciliation
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Gender-based violence and the role of family doctors
On December 6, we mark the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. This day honours the 14 women murdered in 1989 at Montreal’s École Polytechnique simply because they were women. These young women were pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)—fields where women continue to face barriers. The challenges women encounter in STEM mirror those faced by women in other fields, including medic…
Integrating climate change into family practice
…onals across Canada are coming together for the first ever National Day of Action on Planetary Health. The Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE) is coordinating the events on October 6th, 2025 alongside other major health organizations. The impacts of climate change have become impossible to ignore. We recognize that our healthcare system also contributes to the problem, generating 5% of Canada’s emissions. Our urgent and c…
How does the BCGEU strike affect physicians?
Photo from BCGEU The BC General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) began job action on September 2, 2025. The BCGEU job action affects some services that impact physicians, such as the Ministry of Health and Health Insurance BC (HIBC). The HIBC contact centre remains open. Customer service representatives are available Monday to Friday from 8 am- 430 pm (except statutory holidays). If you have any questions or concerns, please contact HIBC by phone, fax, o…
Home
Building an environment where family doctors THRIVE BECOME A MEMBER LATEST NEWS See All Your voice matters: Join a BC Family Doctors committee The content of this page is available to Members of BC Family Doctors. Members, please log in. Non-members, please Click here for details on how to join. Call for Nominations for RA Delegates The content of this page is available to Members of BC Family Doctors. Members, please log in. Non-members, please…
Dr Walter Reynolds
…us can change that. Instead of feeling powerless though, I will commit to action in his memory. I will review my clinic’s safety policy and protocols with my staff and colleagues and reassess my exam room layout. The Doctors of BC Violence Prevention Guide for Community Offices is a helpful resource. Before leaving in the evening, I will check in with any colleagues still seeing patients and not leave them alone if I am worried. In hospital setti…
Our Impact
…Our work brings real, measurable benefits to family doctors across BC. Explore our dashboard to learn how and where we’re making a difference….
Celebrating Family Doctors as Specialists
…e specialists in family medicine. We are specialists in primary care. Take action. Here is what you can do to lead the change: Let people know you are a specialist. Check off the word “specialist” when you are filling out forms or write in “specialist in primary care” or “family medicine” If you don’t wish to be referred to as a “general practitioner,” speak up when others use the term to refer to family physicians. Explain that family physicians…
Have your say about the College’s Specialist Wording
…prior to 1994, are expert physicians, teachers and mentors with 30 years of experience. They play a critical role in BC’s healthcare system and need to be recognized as specialists in family medicine. We are all specialists in family medicine. Take action. Let the College know your thoughts about the proposed bylaw changes. UPCOMING DEADLINE: Submit your comments by January 15, 2022 to bylaw10@cpsbc.ca and proregadmin@gov.bc.ca. Please review the…
Join BC Health Care Matters on May 19
…h Care Matters. This group has been an effective and outspoken advocate for the right of British Columbians to the longitudinal care of a family doctor. Together, physicians and patients can send our message to government that urgent action and investment in family doctors is required, because Everyone Deserves a Family Doctor. You can learn more about the May 19 in-person and virtual rally on the BC Health Care Matters website. Dr Jennifer Lush F…
Statement on Minister Dix’s Comments
…expertise make us an irreplaceable resource in our communities. We are specialists in primary care. It’s time to address the supports and reforms necessary to ensure the sustainability of family medicine. It’s time for action and investment in family doctors. Speak Out for Family Medicine! Use our messaging toolkit and letter to the editor tool to express your concerns and communicate solutions for the future of family medicine….
Prescription contraceptives now covered in BC
…s to products that PharmaCare partially or fully covers. Pharmacists are also be able to prescribe contraceptives starting later this spring. They may not charge patients a fee for the dispensing, assessment, or any other action associated with filling the prescription. Pharmacists will also be able to prescribe contraceptives starting later this spring. For more information and to view a full list of covered contraceptives, click here….