The community of Barriere, located in the North Thompson Valley, has become a leading example of how collaboration is helping to solve rural healthcare challenges. The heart of this transformation began in early 2025, when the community received a Primary Care Network (PCN) Nurse Practitioner contract, leading to the establishment of the Khaya Medical Clinic. This new clinic, owned and operated by Nurse Practitioner Rhiannon Hall and long-time local physician Dr. Ilke Marais, has been an important addition to the area. With the opening of Khaya Medical Clinic and the continued operation of the Interior Health-run Barriere Primary Care Centre, the community now benefits from a total of four primary care providers.

Building on the foundation of these new resources, the community then successfully transitioned its local healthcare management to a more integrated system. Through a partnership between the local clinics and the Thompson Region Division of Family Practice (the Division), hundreds of unattached area residents have now been matched with providers, many for the first time in years. Central to this achievement was the adoption of the Provincial Attachment System (PAS) and the Health Connect Registry (HCR). By merging the internal community waitlist of over 300 people[1] into this province-wide registry, residents now have access to a broader, regionally integrated system designed to connect them to care closer to home, overall attaching more than 500 patients on PAS[2]. This more centralized, coordinated approach has reduced the administrative burden by replacing perhaps more fragmented processes to better connect patients with primary care providers, which in turn has enabled the clinic to focus its time and efforts on patient care.

“Supporting Barriere to implement Primary Care Network resources and merge with the Provincial Attachment System has been one of the most complex yet rewarding activities for our Thompson Region Primary Care Network team,” shared Makenzi Irwin, Attachment Coordinator for the Division. “The progress and the positive impact reflect the dedication of the Barriere team and community, supported by ongoing collaboration and partnership with Interior Health.”

The arrival of Dr. Mark Akangoziri in March of 2025 further accelerated attachment efforts. His collaborative approach and thoughtful care have been instrumental in the initiative’s success, and since his arrival, 80% of patients registered on the HCR in the Barriere catchment area have been attached.

“The Provincial Attachment System enables both doctors and potential patients to be matched without much hassle,” shared Dr. Akangoziri. “It is easy to navigate once you learn the process.”

The success of this effort was driven by a determined team who worked behind the scenes to ensure that no residents were left behind. Irwin of the Division provided on-site coaching and workflow support, working closely with Medical Office Assistant Chantal-Michelle Holt to reach out to residents directly and troubleshoot technical issues.

“None of these attachments would have been possible without the tireless efforts and outstanding work of the team in Barriere,” Irwin noted. “They were the driving force behind the success of this attachment work in Barriere, and through sharing this story, we want to recognize their efforts and express our deep appreciation.”

The impact on the community has been profound and has shifted how residents interact with the healthcare system. Locals can be proactive, calling the Division to inquire about how to register rather than simply inquiring about their waitlist status. One elderly patient remarked that the registration process was smooth and efficient and added that, “it’s nice to feel taken care of.”

Ultimately, Barriere’s success serves as a model for equitable and sustainable primary care the Division hopes to replicate.

[1] This number is current as of February 11 and derived from the Provincial Attachment System based on the community waitlist at the Barriere Primary Care Centre.

[2] This number is current as of February 11 and derived from the Provincial Attachment System.