(From Connexion Newsletter Spring/Summer 2024)
After years of engagement and planning, I’m excited to confirm that the Thompson Region received approval for the service plan for our Primary Care Networks (PCN).
Thus begins our implementation of the two PCNs in our region. As of May this year, there are 79 PCNs in BC, with a target of 103 PCNs, according to the Ministry of Health. This has been many years in the works — it was 2018 when the ministry announced that Primary Care Networks would be implemented across the province.
What is a PCN?
Simplified, PCNs are intended to transform from a siloed primary care system into a network of providers with the purpose of meeting nine core attributes.
One analogy is the ‘school district’ model where any person who lives within the ‘catchment’ area of a PCN would have access to primary care, whether it be one provider or a team of providers. The recent rollout of the Provincial Attachment System helps the province, and local PCNs, understand which providers have capacity, who is looking for a provider and, hopefully, make a successful connection within a PCN.
How is this accomplished?
Separate funding is flowed through the Division of Family Practice and the Health Authority. The Division receives funding to hire PCN administration and change-management staff. The Health Authority receives funding for new clinical resources that can be deployed in a variety of ways determined by local and regional needs, while the PCN Steering Committee oversees this work.
What’s next?
Two things are certain: 1) PCN represents the largest injection of funding of clinical resources in BC in decades, and 2) the process has been long and sometimes confusing. The Division is committed to demystifying PCN and clearly communicating where we are at and what it means for members throughout our collaborative PCN journey.
If you are interested in learning more about PCNs, please email us.
Email: thompsonregion@thompsondivision.ca
— Katherine Brown, Executive Director
Resources:
