New family doctor compensation model a 'new day for family physicians' in B.C.
A new payment model came into effect Wednesday for family doctors in British Columbia.
Under the new model, a full-service family doctor currently making $250,000 a year could make up to $385,000 annually.
The province's goal is to keep and attract more family doctors in B.C., while also matching family doctors with the one million British Columbians currently without one.
Dr. Alex Nataros is one of 194 family doctors on Vancouver Island who have signed up for the new payment model so far.
“This new patient model is going to make a big difference in physician well-being, as well as meeting the needs of the patients," he said Wednesday.
Doctors of BC, a professional organization for physicians in the province, says there are currently about 3,000 family doctors providing care in B.C.
Many former family doctors have switched to other jobs, like working in hospitals where the hours and pay are better, according to the group. The province hopes the new model can change that trend.
"It’s the most significant reform to primary care in my lifetime," Dix said Wednesday.
“Today is a new day for family physicians to have choice to provide the care that they’ve always wanted to do, but have not been able to," said Dr. Joshua Greggain with Doctors of BC.
Critics says more is needed to attract people into family medicine.
"There needs to be a complete support plan," said former Colwood mayor David Saunders. "Just giving funding isn’t going to do it."
He is calling for a holistic plan, which focuses on more affordable housing for health-care workers.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Friday that Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
'We have laws': Premier Smith says police action justified in Calgary
The actions, including the decision to use non-lethal force, to disperse pro-Palestinian protesters from the University of Calgary campus were justified, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Friday.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.