George adding to a community display about why Pine Free Clinic is important to our community.

On May 2nd and May 20th, George Heyman co-hosted community meetings about the closure of Pine Free Youth Clinic along with David Eby, the MLA for Vancouver-Point Grey. Community members shared their stories of the incredible service provided by the clinic and how it is an important part of their community.

Pine Free Youth Clinic is slated for closure as a result of the funding cuts to community health clinics that are happening across Vancouver. This government-condoned dismantling of community health centres, such as the local Mid-Main Community Health Centre and Pine Free Clinic, is continuing to move ahead despite opposition from patients, physicians, and health care experts. This is happening at a time when 100,000 Vancouver residents do not have access to a family doctor despite the government’s promise that all British Columbians will have one in 12 months.

The government is ignoring evidence that shows this model of primary care should be expanded not undone. According to Scott Wolfe, executive director of The Canadian Association of Community Health Centres, “Ontario has shown that multi-disciplinary clinics out perform all other models of primary care” and that “They prevent 20% more hospital room admission than other modes of primary care”.

Most recently the communtiy held a rally to raise awarness and show Vancouver Coastal Health how valued Pine Free clinic is to the community.

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