B.C. expanding program to connect people with family doctors

The B.C. government is continuing the push to help more of the 900,000 people in the province without a family physician connect with one.

The provincial government has announced the expansion of the Health Connect Registry (HRC), which allows people to register to get into a local clinic to see a doctor.

The expansion will help people who don’t have a doctor to connect with longitudinal family doctors who can take on more patients.

“The system will make it easier to build or increase patient panels for new-to-practice doctors, those returning to longitudinal care, and those who have capacity to take on new patients,” a news release reads.

The province notes that doctors will not be required to expand their panel size nor will they be forced to take on new patients.

“The final decision on whether a new patient is a good match is left with the physician and the patient,” it adds.

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The strain on doctors, and the challenge of getting in to see a family doctor, has been a hot topic in the province for some time.

Health Minister Adrian Dix was in Vancouver Wednesday to announce the expansion which he said “is a crucial step forward.”

“The three registries will have a comprehensive list of who is looking for a primary care provider, who already has one, and which providers and clinics can accept new patients. And we’ll use that information to actively support connection between patients and primary care providers,” he said. 

“These registries are essential to making that key first connection between patient and primary care provider, family doctor, nurse practitioner.”

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The expansion includes allowing people in communities across the province to register instead of just select communities.

“People will be connected to primary care provider based on their health needs and the providers’ ability to take on those needs and their region,” a release reads.

Dr. Joshua Greggain, the president of Doctors of BC, adds that the improved registry will help both patients and doctors.

It “will make things easier and faster for patients, and more efficient for doctors and other health care providers, while being flexible to ensure the best outcomes for everyone — a strong long-term family doctor/patient relationship,” he said.

Recently, B.C. pharmacists were permitted to prescribe common medications like birth control, in an effort to alleviate the strain on family doctors.

Those looking to find a doctor can register and find more information here. If you’ve already registered, you don’t need to again.