A group working to improve patient care in Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Anmore and Belcarra, is seeking two people to be a voice for patients on a local committee.
Fraser Northwest Division of Family Practice Society is accepting applications for patient advisors to collaborate with the Primary Care Network team and to provide input into projects to improve primary care in the Tri-Cities.
“The collaboration between the three partners [FNW Division, Fraser Health Authority and Kwikwetlem First Nation] has had a positive effect on primary care. Adding additional voices will offer valuable insight and a new perspective that differs from healthcare providers and administrators,” said Dr. Paras Mehta, co-chair of Fraser Northwest, in a press release.
Primary Care Networks were announced in February and, at the time, Health Minister Adrian Dix said 46 doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners and clinical pharmacists would be hired in the Tri-Cities over the next few years to help connect people to health services, including maternity care, mental health care and elder care, especially for people who don’t have family doctors.
Kwikwetlem First Nation is also receiving access to health care support on reserve in ways that are culturally sensitive.
To bring about the changes, the Primary Care Network Steering Committee was set up to provide oversight, bring together community stakeholders to create partnerships and identify opportunities to improve how patients can access good quality health care.
To be eligible to apply to be a patient advisor, patients and/or caregivers of patients must reside in a Fraser Northwest community (the Tri-Cities, the villages and New Westminster) and have knowledge and experience in community health care, chronic disease management, wellness and community partnerships.
Interested individuals can apply through the patientvoicesbc.ca website, with Oct. 29 the deadline for applications.
