Vancouver City Council passes motion in support of Community Health Centres

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June 25th – George joined community members, doctors, and nurse practitioners at Vancouver City Council this morning.  City Council was debating a motion, put forward by Councillor Kerry Jang, calling on Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) to maintain and improve primary care services at community health centers across Vancouver.  Clinics such as Pine Free Youth clinic and Mid-main community health center are being forced to close or drastically alter the way they deliver service due to funding changes by Vancouver Coastal Health.

Speaker after speaker spoke passionately about the community clinic model and the improved health outcomes and the increased satisfaction for both patients and doctors that it creates.  They spoke about the importance of having a youth dedicated clinic like Pine Free, a place where youth can go to access medical care in a judgement free and encouraging invironment.

Here is an excerpt from Colleen Fuller, Vice President of the Board at REACH community health centre’s statement to Council:

“While we acknowledge the funding constraints that Vancouver Coastal Health is under, we think the VCH region needs more Community Health Centres, not fewer, to support patients with more complex needs, including, but not limited to, the 20,000 people who VCH estimates fit the “vulnerability” criteria identified in its report. Any reduction in the critical mass within the sector undermines our ability to collaborate and share best practices to serve the needs of our patients. Ultimately, it will be the patients that suffer.”

Vancouver City Council unanimously passed the motion.  Representatives from Vancouver Coastal health were present at the meeting and defended the changes.

You can read the full text of Councillor Jang’s Motion here.