THREE years after the NDP’s announcement of the Richmond Primary Care Network (PCN), it remains dramatically understaffed, failing to meet the health care needs of Richmond residents, said the BC Liberals on Thursday.

“Instead of the thriving care network that was promised to our community, documents from the Health Minister himself reveal Richmond’s PCN only employs one of the 32 physicians it needs to be at capacity,” said Teresa Wat, MLA for Richmond North Centre. “This is a clear failure that leaves thousands of people without the care they need and were promised by this government. The people of Richmond deserve so much better and it’s time for the NDP MLAs that represent Richmond to speak out about this failure and start advocating for the health care needs of our community.”

Data on PCN staffing from the Ministry of Health shows that Richmond’s PCN has only three per cent of the physicians it budgeted for and only 29 per cent of the needed nurse practitioners. This while one in five British Columbians does not have access to a family doctor.

“The NDP announced the Richmond PCN with great fanfare three years ago, at which time the Health Minister held it up as a possible solution to the doctor shortage crisis and something that would help get more patients attached to primary care providers — but that simply is not the reality,” said Shirley Bond, BC Liberal Critic for Health.

“After all these years, the NDP should have much more to show for their supposed work than a primary care network with only three per cent of the doctors they planned for. Both in Richmond, and throughout B.C., our health care system is in crisis, and it’s time for government to take action and ensure every British Columbian has access to the care they need.”

Backgrounder:  B.C. Health Care Closure Crisis