A doctor shortage in the Comox Valley is nothing new.

Residents in the growing community have struggled for years to find their own family doctors.

This summer, the situation became dire.

With the abrupt departure of two family doctors in the Comox Valley - Alex Nataros in Comox (indefinite medical leave) and Stephen Fox in Cumberland (practice closure) - the number of detached patients has spiked dramatically.

Speaking on behalf of the Comox Valley Division of Family Practice, Dr. Bonnie Bagdan (an MD at the Seacove Medical Clinic in Comox) estimated that there are approximately 13,500 residents without a family physician in the Valley, or roughly 20 per cent of the population (2016 Census lists the Comox Valley as having a population of 66,517).

B次元官网网址淟ast week (our clinic) had so many phone calls from patients who are so anxious about having lost their physician and not knowing where to turn to,B次元官网网址� said Bagdan. B次元官网网址淪o they are calling each of the clinics that are in the Comox Valley, asking if we can take them on. We already are at capacity as physicians in this community, with the number of patients that we have, and we cannot take any more on. The physicians we have right now cannot absorb the 13,500 (detached) patients, so yes, we are really feeling that stress.B次元官网网址�

There are 17 clinics in the Comox Valley, as well as two walk-in clinics, and a health connections clinic. There are 132 members in the Division of Family Practice, and 78 of those have family practice clinics.

No practice in Cumberland

The situation is particularly concerning in Cumberland, as FoxB次元官网网址檚 practice - the Ginger Goodwin Medical Clinic - is the only family practice in the village. Its closure is effective July 31.

Mid Island-Pacific Rim MLA Josie Osborne, whose constituency includes Cumberland, said she was made aware of the situation in the village immediately.

B次元官网网址淚 did hear directly from Mayor (Leslie) Baird - as soon as she heard that the clinic would be closing, she called me,B次元官网网址� said Osborne. B次元官网网址淎nd I heard from a couple of constituents as well, through the MLA office. I have been in touch with the Ministry of Health, and the ministerB次元官网网址檚 office, and I am working with (Courtenay-Comox MLA) Ronna-Rae Leonard because together we serve the residents of the Comox Valley, so it is important that we are in good communication and that we can represent the (entire Valley population).

B次元官网网址淚 can tell you that the Ministry is listening and that the Ministry is actively working with the Comox Valley Primary Care Network (PCN) to better understand the situation and to determine what needs to happen next.B次元官网网址�

Dr. Bagdan is the PCN lead for the Division of Family Practice.

B次元官网网址淭he first attribute (of the PCN) and one of the most important, is reducing the attachment gap, and making sure every patient that wants a physician has a physician,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淪o we are addressing the physician shortage through the Primary Care Network.B次元官网网址�

The B.C. Ministry of Health acknowledged the situation in the Valley and released a statement to The Record on July 15, saying it is looking into the problem.

B次元官网网址淭he Ministry recognizes that population growth, retirements and recent departures of primary care providers in the Comox Valley all affect the number of people needing primary care and that the plan for the community will need to adjust over time as the community need evolves,B次元官网网址� reads the statement sent to The Record. B次元官网网址淭he Ministry is actively working with the Comox Valley Primary Care Network to understand the current situation and to address recent physician departures to ensure the needs of Comox Valley residents are more effectively met.

B次元官网网址淭he Ministry is collaborating with the Comox Valley PCN to look at local strategies to ensure patients can receive primary care when they need it, including potentially adding new family physician and nurse practitioner resources.B次元官网网址�

PCN launched last year

The PCN was an initiative launched last September to partner with new and existing healthcare professionals within Island Health, new Indigenous health resources, First Nations Health Authority resources and community organizations as part of a networked, team-based approach to providing integrated, whole-person care.

ALSO: Primary care network to be established in the Valley by the province

According to the July 15 statement, the PCN has brought approximately 16 health care providers to the area.

Bagdan said considering the change of circumstances regarding physicians in the Valley, they have reached out to the Ministry to ask for more help.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址� need to hire; we need more physicians in the Comox Valley, or more primary care providers, meaning physicians and nurse practitioners,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淲e have been in very close contact with (the Ministry) and we are showing them that we now have this acute attachment gap and we are requesting funds to be able to attract and hire those care providers to the Comox Valley.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淭he Ministry is listening and will help us.B次元官网网址�

Courtenay-Comox MLA Ronna-Rae Leonard has been in correspondence with the Comox Valley Division of Family Practice regarding the doctor shortage in the Valley.

B次元官网网址淭here has been a challenge, particularly in this last year - the movement of people, including doctors, has been a lot more limited,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淪o we are not getting that influx ofB次元官网网址� locums, or doctors who choose to move.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e been talking to the Ministry about the unique challenges that we face here, and I am trying to find solutions, but itB次元官网网址檚 not going to be just waving a magic wand to get doctors into the Valley. Using the team care approach is probably going to be where we are at.B次元官网网址�

Osborne wants to ensure her constituents that she is doing all she can to alleviate the anxiety they may be experiencing, as she has lived through a similar issue.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址� understand the struggle that many people are facing,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚 can remember when my physician retired in Tofino, another small town, it doesnB次元官网网址檛 feel very good when you are not sure what happens next. So itB次元官网网址檚 important for my constituents to know that their local officials, like myself, and Mayor Baird, are absolutely advocating on their behalf. And in return, myself and Ronna-Rae Leonard are working with the Minister of Health, making sure that peopleB次元官网网址檚 voices are being heard, and making sure that people understand what they can do in the meantime.B次元官网网址�

Bagdan said the main thing for residents of the Comox Valley is to understand that the physicians and local political representatives are doing everything in their power to rectify the situation.

B次元官网网址淭he team on the Primary Care Network is seeing so much collaboration with Island Health, First Nations - Indigenous Health - and the divisions, working together to solve the problems that we have identified.

B次元官网网址淲e have all come together to say B次元官网网址榯his is really importantB次元官网网址� and we will not leave people behind. We are working really hard to make sure we have everybodyB次元官网网址檚 back, and that everyone who wants a family physician or primary care provider has one.B次元官网网址�

Residents encouraged to register

Bagdan recommends anyone who is detached to visit the Health Connection Registry, Comox Valley at healthlinkbc.ca

B次元官网网址淚t is a repository of information that people can call, leaving their name and number and demographicB次元官网网址� and then we work on providing people with family physicians,B次元官网网址� she said.

Registering also gives the provincial government a more clear idea of the number of patients seeking doctors.

Those without access to a computer can call 8-1-1 (7-1-1 for the hard of hearing).

terry.farrell@blackpress.ca
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