A GP for Me is a province-wide initiative jointly funded by the Government of BC and Doctors of BC, created through the General Practice Services Committee (GPSC). The GPSC is made up of representatives from the Doctors of BC and the Ministry of Health who work together to improve health care in BC.
Research shows that a strong primary care system, centred on continuous doctor-patient relationships, leads to the best health outcomes for patients. This can also lead to cost benefits for the health care system. For example, research in BC shows that for patients with more complex health care needs, such as diabetes or heart disease, it costs the system less when they go regularly to the same doctor for their care.
Because it is important to people’s health to have a regular family doctor, the A GP for Me initiative was formed to ensure that every British Columbian who wants a family physician is able to access one. There are approximately 176,000 people in BC who are currently looking for a family doctor to provide them with ongoing care.
A GP for Me is based on tested successes in three communities – White Rock-South Surrey, Cowichan Valley, and Prince George – that have worked locally with family doctors on the program. In February 2013, the decision was announced to expand A GP for Me throughout BC.
Over time, the supports provided by A GP for Me will:
- make it easier for doctors to provide and coordinate care for their patients efficiently – so they will be able to accept more patients into their practices; and
- enable physicians to develop plans at a community level to improve local primary care capacity, including a mechanism for finding doctors locally for patients who are looking for one.
Divisions of Family Practice have been and will continue to be heavily involved in working on local health care solutions, and in particular, A GP for Me. Divisions of Family Practice exist throughout the province and are community-based groups of family physicians working together – and with health authorities and community partners – to achieve common health care goals.