British Columbia Needs Physician Assistants
The Issue
Over one million British Columbians are without a primary care provider. The Port Hardy community proposed a solution to help the primary and emergency care access crisis in the area - Hire a Physician Assistant (PA). The BC Health Ministry has been reluctant to consider adding a PA and states they are monitoring the profession.
Physician Assistants have advocated for inclusion within the public health system for decades. Organizations have put forward policies calling for the addition of PAs:
- Doctors of BC
- College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC (unofficially)
- Union of BC Municipalities
- BC Chamber of Commerce and Surrey Board of Trade
- BC Rural Health Network
- Nurses and Nurse Practitioners of BC (NNPBC) have expressed support in a recent brief to its members.
A Physician Assistant (PA) is an advanced practice medical provider. PAs perform histories, physicals, order and interpret investigations, diagnose, and formulate treatment plans. They also perform diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, reduce fracture, cast and splint, perform biopsies, and assist in surgery. They educate and counsel patients in preventative health. They work under the supervision of a physician.
Members of the Legislative Assembly have recommended PAs in Budget consultations in past years.
Military PAs have trained and worked in British Columbia for decades, including at Vancouver General, Victoria General, Royal Jubilee, and Nanaimo General Hospitals.
It is time for the British Columbia government and Minister of Health Adrian Dix to ask the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC to create a registrant class for Physician Assistants.
The Port Hardy community and a local physician have found three qualified and willing PAs that want to join the Port Hardy healthcare team in June 2023!
It is well past time to add Physician Assistants to the British Columbia healthcare team.
1,762
The Issue
Over one million British Columbians are without a primary care provider. The Port Hardy community proposed a solution to help the primary and emergency care access crisis in the area - Hire a Physician Assistant (PA). The BC Health Ministry has been reluctant to consider adding a PA and states they are monitoring the profession.
Physician Assistants have advocated for inclusion within the public health system for decades. Organizations have put forward policies calling for the addition of PAs:
- Doctors of BC
- College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC (unofficially)
- Union of BC Municipalities
- BC Chamber of Commerce and Surrey Board of Trade
- BC Rural Health Network
- Nurses and Nurse Practitioners of BC (NNPBC) have expressed support in a recent brief to its members.
A Physician Assistant (PA) is an advanced practice medical provider. PAs perform histories, physicals, order and interpret investigations, diagnose, and formulate treatment plans. They also perform diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, reduce fracture, cast and splint, perform biopsies, and assist in surgery. They educate and counsel patients in preventative health. They work under the supervision of a physician.
Members of the Legislative Assembly have recommended PAs in Budget consultations in past years.
Military PAs have trained and worked in British Columbia for decades, including at Vancouver General, Victoria General, Royal Jubilee, and Nanaimo General Hospitals.
It is time for the British Columbia government and Minister of Health Adrian Dix to ask the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC to create a registrant class for Physician Assistants.
The Port Hardy community and a local physician have found three qualified and willing PAs that want to join the Port Hardy healthcare team in June 2023!
It is well past time to add Physician Assistants to the British Columbia healthcare team.
The Decision Makers
Petition Updates
Share this petition
Petition created on February 9, 2023