Jun
29
by Penny Coates, Executive Director JBCP
Many Beacon readers may remember that back in October 2009, the staff, volunteers, clients and patients at the James Bay Community Project were reeling with the news of Vancouver Island Health Authority and Ministry of Health funding cutbacks that put the very existence of our James Bay Health Care Centre in jeopardy. Eight months later, drawing upon the depths of "JBCP" creativity, not only are the clinic doors still open, but access to physician and nurse practitioner care is about to increase, and a new integrative primary health care centre will be in place for this fall. This transformation has been a multi-step process.
The Interim Strategy (February - August 2010)
In February 2010, under the leadership of Dr Mark Sherman and Dr Gary Wolfson, the primary health care centre at the Project moved to a physician-led clinic model with business management support through JBCP. The Ministry of Health also provided JBCP with some one-time interim funding until May 31st, so that the patients of Dr Ehasoo and Dr McKinney would not be left without physician care while a transition strategy was developed. In April 2010, nurse practitioner, Cheryl Hobson, was welcomed back full-time to the clinic; and as of June 1st, Dr. Rick Hudson has returned on a part-time basis. While this interim strategy has not been without its challenges, the loyalty and ongoing support of existing patients have been wonderful, and all JBCP staff members have done their utmost to make the transition as smooth as possible.
For the information of patients of Dr McKinney and Dr Ehasoo, we have recently learned that neither physician will be returning to clinical practice at JBCP, nor will they be opening up practices elsewhere in Victoria in the near future. The current practitioner team is committed to your continuity of care, so if you would like to remain at the Health Centre, just continue to book your appointments as needed. Patients wishing to seek care elsewhere can contact the Victoria Medical Society at 250-598-6021 to find a list of physicians accepting new patients. Your medical records will be kept in safe and confidential storage at the James Bay Health Center and will be transferred to another physician upon your request
So what happens next....?
The Exciting Long Term Plan
As of September 1, 2010, the health care centre will be further transformed. JBCP's role regarding the clinic will shift to that of landlord, as the health centre moves under the auspices and business management of the recently formed Victoria Community Health Co-operative (VCHC). The existing physician and nurse practitioner team will be joined by other health practitioners who are equally passionate about integrative primary health care. Two more doctors and potentially another nurse practitioner will be in place by December 2010, significantly increasing patient access. VCHC will also be attracting allied health care professionals who believe in the co-operative approach. In the months ahead, JBCP and VCHC will be jointly offering an array of innovative health and wellness programs, so be sure to stay tuned for our new program offerings.
As we make this shift, you may be asking "Will it be necessary to become a co-op member to be a patient at the new practice?" The answer is "No, but the co-op hopes you will". Under the Canada Health Act and BC's Medical Services Plan, existing and future patients are guaranteed open access to physician or nurse practitioner care regardless of co-op membership. However, those who are co-op members will be able to receive a number of other health services at a discounted price from the non MSP-related co-op professionals.
We believe that this new relationship between JBCP and VCHC will give enhanced meaning to JBCP's mission statement "building a healthy community together". We are excited by future opportunities for collaboration and look forward to continuing to provide a wide range of health and social services to the James Bay community.
For more information on VCHC please go to , or contact the co-op at info@victoriahealthcooperative.ca or 250-483-5503. The health co-op will also have pamphlets available at the health center throughout the summer that will answer many of your questions. Please note that VCHC has informed us that new patients will be accepted in the fall of 2010 as staffing allows. The co-op will provide information about this process in the September edition of the Beacon.