A GP For Me was officially launched on the Coast last Thursday, April 23 with the introduction of two new professionals who have been hired to help.
Patient navigator Cayce Laviolette and attachment assessment clinic nurse Cathy Burke were officially introduced to the community during the launch at the Sechelt Hospital.
As the patient navigator, Laviolette will help patients with complex care needs negotiate the health care system and connect with the appropriate physicians.
“I’m accepting referrals mostly directly from physicians and from clinics, but also I’m happy to take calls from the wider community as well, from individuals or agencies that have questions about the system or think they might be able to use me in some way,” Laviolette said.
Locals in need of assistance from Laviolette can call 604-741-3180 or email [email protected].
Burke, the new attachment assessment clinic nurse, will help those people who don’t have a doctor get matched up with one.
She said she’s looking forward to starting her work on the Coast, noting that statistics show people have better health outcomes when they have family doctors.
Burke will run an intake clinic to assess patient needs and then refer patients to the appropriate physicians.
“The intake clinic will be offered on Mondays and Fridays, one day in Sechelt and one day in Gibsons, so that gives us some ability to see people on both sides of the Coast. So that’s good, and we’re already filling up our schedules,” Burke said.
For help finding a local doctor, contact Burke at the attachment assessment clinic at 604-885-8644.
In addition to the two new hires through A GP For Me is a new online health resource directory that was launched last week.
The directory, at www.sc.fetchbc.ca, lists a plethora of health care providers on the Coast including physicians, dentists, registered massage therapists, physiotherapists, chiropractors, occupational therapists and dieticians.
The regularly updated online resource is meant to highlight many different health care providers on the Coast in an effort to help the community and those working in health care become aware of all of the options available.
