THEMES

D. PHYSICIANS, NURSE PRACTITIONERS AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE

Challenges:

• Funding pathways not streamlined

• Funding pathways not responsive to Gabriola’s context

• Current inappropriate use of emergency services– not knowing where to go, who to call

• Primary health care practitioners overworked, community under-equipped

• Clarification of VIHA’s role and responsibility

• Nurse practitioner – what are their practice boundaries – what can they do?

• BCMA restrictions around what NPs can do and charge for?

• Communication between NRGH and Gabriola Island physicians

• Helicopter landing not fully approved – heliport needs to be rebuilt

• Interim clinic too far for many residents

Opportunities:

• Consider alternative models (Pender, Tofino, Ladysmith, NZ)

• Sustain emergency room and response working well for residents

• Committed on-call physicians on Gabriola Island willing to work towards solutions

Suggested Solutions:

• Change compensation system to reflect reality of primary health care on Gabriola Island (research and recommendations)

• Communication links developed between local physicians and Nanaimo hospital physicians

• Consider roles and potential for integration of nurse practitioners, registered nurse, home care support into Gabriola PHC system and adapt compensation system for NP and nurses to accommodate options on Gabriola Island.