Editor:
Having been involved in Primary Care Network (PCN) service planning and implementation, I felt compelled to reply to your article to highlight the true objective of PCN. It is not only about introducing team-based care professionals, as was messaged at the recent open forum, but rather driving change in how doctors transfer previously performed duties to team based care professionals such that capacity is created within the physician community that supports patient attachment. There are many attributes associated with PCN but patient attachment (and access) is the overlying goal as made evident by Ministry of Health communication and to that end I would encourage readers to research this further.
The Sunshine Coast PCN benefitted from an early draw social worker (team-based care professional) to support the medical community but it is unclear how many residents were attached during this period that preceded the approval of the Sunshine Coast PCN service plan late summer 2023. PCN is not simply about recruitment and retention of new medical professionals (including nurse practitioners) but about changing the way primary care is delivered on the Sunshine Coast. Examples of primary care reform include increases in clinic hours to enhance access including weekends, establishment of community health centres in communities where the need is greater (ie – Gibsons) and a myriad of other strategies.
Residents of the Sunshine Coast deserve progress updates on these opportunities rather than open forum messaging that lacks substance. One would have thought that the PCN would have been announced to the residents of the Sunshine Coast soon after approval.
Michael Aeberhard, Nanaimo
