The Government of British Columbia and the BC Medical Association are partnering to establish a new incentive that will help fill 20 pre-designated family physician and specialist positions in rural communities, including two general practitioners for Clearwater
The Rural Physicians for British Columbia program incentive provides new and additional support for those rural communities who have experienced the most difficulty in recruiting and retaining physicians.
The incentive will help 17 of the most underserved rural B.C. communities obtain access to primary and specialist physician services.
"Local, accessible healthcare is a necessity for British Columbians. Our rural communities deserve the best care available and this incentive will help attract two much needed physicians to the Clearwater area." said Kamloops-North Thompson MLA Terry Lake
- The Rural Physicians for British Columbia incentive aims to fill 20 pre-designated family physician and specialist positions.
- The incentive will provide each physician with a one-time payment of $100,000 when they commit to a three-year return of service in 17 designated rural communities.
- Participating physicians will receive $50,000 when they begin working in the community and the remaining $50,000 will be paid once they have completed one year of service.
- The Joint Standing Committee on Rural Issues, comprised of the government and the BC Medical Association, worked with health authorities to select 17 underserved communities based on those in most urgent need.
- The 17 selected communities are Bella Coola, Burns Lake, Chetwynd, Clearwater, Cranbrook, Galiano Island, Hazelton, Kitimat, Nakusp, Pemberton, Port Hardy, Port Alberni, Princeton, Quesnel, Terrace, Tofino, and Tumbler Ridge.
For more information:
- On Rural Physicians for British Columbia and other programs to support rural health care in B.C., please visitwww.health.gov.bc.ca/pcb/rural_jsc.html