Family Doctors for Saanich

Saanich is looking into offering tax exemptions for non-profit medical clinics to improve access to physicians in the district. Council agreed this week to have one of its committees consider the possibility of providing a tax incentive for creating such clinics. So-called “permissive tax exemptions” can be provided by municipalities to reduce or eliminate property taxes for organizations that provide a clear public benefit.

Saanich council has unanimously agreed to explore permissive tax exemptions for non-profit medical clinics in a move aimed at reducing barriers for community-based primary care.  The decision came at the Jan. 26 meeting, where Couns. Karen Harper and Teale Phelps Bondaroff directed staff to refer the matter to the arts, culture and community wellbeing advisory committee and the finance and governance standing committee.

En Colombie-Britannique, en juillet, environ 385 000 personnes attendaient d’obtenir un fournisseur de soins primaires. Parmi ces personnes en attente d’un médecin de famille ou d’une infirmière praticienne, 32 % vivent sur l’île de Vancouver, comme Danielle Attal, qui trouve la situation « décourageante ».

Universal Health Coverage Day, observed annually on Dec. 12, was launched by the United Nations in 2016 to encourage all nations to provide affordable and quality health care to their citizens.  Around the world, communities use this day to push for better access to primary care, as well as treatment and support.  For a small group of Saanich residents, the day holds a special significance as they will use the latter to launch Family Doctors for Saanich, an initiative aimed at improving access to family doctors and nurse practitioners in the municipality.

Today, December 12, Universal Health Coverage Day, a group of Saanich residents gathered at Rutledge Park to launch Family Doctors for Saanich, a new grassroots campaign working to improve access to family doctors and nurse practitioners in the District of Saanich. The volunteer-led initiative aims to help more residents get attached to primary care providers and encourage participation in local efforts to bring additional doctors to the region.

On December 12, Universal Health Coverage Day, a group of Saanich residents is launching Family Doctors for Saanich, a new grassroots campaign working to improve access to family doctors and nurse practitioners in the District of Saanich. The volunteer-led initiative aims to help more residents get attached to primary care providers and encourage participation in local efforts to bring additional doctors to the region.