See updated story with funding and application guidelines here.
Coming soon: Details on how PCN communities will apply for new GPSC funding for physician engagement to make maternity and newborn care part of their planning discussions. The one-time funding of $1-million will be available in fall 2022 to all PCN communities in the divisions of family practice. GPSC recognizes that maternity care is a key part of full-service family practice. This funding will allow them to plan on how best to integrate maternity care into the team-based setting. It is anticipated that all communities will take advantage of this opportunity to ensure perinatal services are an integral part of their current or future PCNs.
As funding must be used by March 31, 2023, PCNs are encouraged to begin considering how to use it. Planning needs to remain in the context of existing PCN community resources and services, and team-based care. There also needs to be an understanding of the maternity care supports already available in each community.
The GPSC funding supports PCN communities in undertaking physician engagement for a collaborative planning process for tier 1 maternity and newborn services. Tier 1 refers to community-based prenatal and postnatal services provided throughout the entire reproductive cycle – including contraception, preconception, pregnancy, postpartum and infant care.
Outcomes from the planning process can inform the development and implementation of future initiatives from GPSC and the Maternity Services Strategy (developed by the Ministry of Health and Perinatal Services BC).
Details on how to apply for the funding will be announced shortly.
The funding is the latest GPSC initiative to support family physicians in providing maternity and newborn care. Existing programs include:
- Maternity Care for BC (MC4BC)
MC4BC supports family doctors to strengthen their obstetrical knowledge and skills through hands-on experience, peer mentorship, and financial compensation.
- Maternity Network Initiative
Provides financial compensation to support groups of family physicians working together to provide care to pregnant patients in the community through all phases, including delivery.
- Family physician obstetrical delivery premiums
Premiums offer additional financial compensation to support family physicians providing delivery and in-hospital postnatal care.
Questions? Contact gpscmaternity@doctorsofbc.ca