


Primary Care in the Lower Columbia today:
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Approximately 30% of residents are estimated to be without a primary care provider
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Private practice is experiencing a loss of providers and persistent recruitment challenges
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Patients with a primary care provider are facing difficulties accessing care due to clinic hours and wait times
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Current system makes providing team-based care difficult
The time to act is now.
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There is a desire from community leaders to engage more fully with the elements of Primary Care
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A recent needs and assets study in the Lower Columbia Region found strong community support for CHCs
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Neighbouring Divisions of Family Practice are pivoting to multi-clinic models
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Recruitment and retention of primary care practitioners is near a crisis point in the region and will remain so in the coming years.
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The BC government appears to be supportive of communities wanting to implement CHCs and communities must capitalize on this support.