Primary Care - Fraser Health

Three iConnect Health Centres have been established in the region, each serving as one delivery point ofmany in the broader network. These centres consolidate and integrate a number of chronic diseasemanagement services, and link together various providers.The Most Responsible Provider – usually the family doctor – directs overall care. He or she may connect apatient with one or more partners in the network, such as a dietician for diabetes care, a mental healthspecialist for depression, or a pharmacist for medication management.Complex Care Coordinators also work in the system to coordinate providers and care planning for patientswho have multiple, complex conditions.How do providers and patients benefit?An integrated health network has many benefits for patients, providers and the system. It:• Improves health for people with multiple chronic conditions: Planned and coordinated care – ratherthan separate services responding to single health issues – optimizes overall health.• Improves a patient’s experience and satisfaction as they access services in the system, with morecontinuity of care, less run-around and stronger relationships with care providers.• Increases a patient / client’s confidence and sense of control as they gain knowledge and tactics tomanage their own health.• For GPs and other providers, the network expands capacity for chronic care beyond practices andinto the community, and eases the load on individual providers.• For GPs and other providers, it improves professional satisfaction as it saves time, reducesduplication and improves feedback with fewer communication gaps.• It also reduces costs for the health care system as a whole, through prevention and bettermanagement of disease, and more effective use of primary care, local and regional resources.When and where is this being implemented?In 2008, the iConnect Health Network was established in the community of White Rock/South Surrey. Thenetwork is being gradually expanded in New Westminster and Surrey. It will be introduced to othercommunities over the next five years as it is evaluated and refined for its effectiveness.In total, 25 integrated health networks were established across British Columbia in 2008.Opportunities for GPs to participateGPs in White Rock/South Surrey, New Westminster and Surrey are invited to participate in and access theavailable services of the iConnect Health Network, and can sign up via a consent process. (Contact below.)Opportunities for providers in the Fraser Health region: www.fraserhealth.ca/services/primarycareContact informationJoan Rabillard, Manager, Primary CareE-mail: Joan.Rabillard@fraserhealth.caPhone Number: 604.519.8557For sign-up consent, please contact: Norah.Wong@fraserhealth.caPC.04.21.09