The Rural Practice Subsidiary Agreement between the B.C. Government, Doctors of BC and the Medical Services Commission aims to enhance patient care and availability of physician services in rural and remote areas of B.C., by addressing unique and challenging clinical circumstances encountered by rural physicians.
- RSA Criteria
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Community eligibility for the Rural Practice Subsidiary Agreement is determined by evaluating its level of isolation. The following criteria are used to complete this evaluation:
- Number of designated specialties within 70 km
- Number of general practitioners within 35 km
- Community size
- Distance from major medical community
- Degree of latitude
- Specialist Centre
- Location arc
Each of these criteria are applied to the community independently of one another and a set number of points are awarded to the community. These points (based on a 5 year rolling average) are then used to assign the community to one of four categories:
- 20 or more points: “A” community
- Between 15 and 19.99 points: “B” community
- Between 1.5 and 14.99 points: “C” community
- Between 0.1 and 1.49 points: “D” community
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The category assignment for each community determines eligibility for support through Rural Practice Programs.
- RSA Communities, Designations, SCCs and RCME contacts
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The category assignment for each community determines eligibility for support through Rural Practice Programs.
The Service Clarification Code (SCC) for the community in which the service has been provided must be indicated on all billings submitted by the physician in order to receive rural fee premiums.
For Rural Retention Program (RRP) points, fee premium percentages, and flat fee amounts for each community, please visit this page.
For information about Island Health’s Rural Continuing Medical Education (RCME) Community Program, visit here.
Community
Physician Lead
Campbell River
Dr. Duncan Douglas
Chemainus
Dr. Jim Broere
Cobble Hill
Dr. Paul Harris
Comox-Courtenay
Dr. Kevin Swanson
Cortes Island
Dr. Janet McKeown
Denman-Hornby
Dr. Jody Taylor (Denman)/
Dr. Laura Chalfin (Hornby)Duncan
Dr. Martin Lipinski
Gabriola Island
Dr. Erin Cusack
Galiano Island
Dr. Anik Mommsen-Smith
Gold River-Tahsis
Dr. Matthew Ness
Ladysmith
Dr. Vivan Kilvert
Lake Cowichan
Dr. Wagdy Basily
Mayne Island
Dr. Juliana Losier
Mill Bay
Dr. William Reynolds
Mt. Waddington**
Dr. Anas Toweir
Parksville-Qualicum
Dr. Colin Duncan
Pender Island
Dr. Bruce Rebner
Port Alberni
Dr. Matt Hudson
Quadra Island
Dr. Stephen Hughes
Salt Spring Island
Dr. Kesh Smith
Shawnigan Lake
Dr. Maraina Smith &
Dr. Meghan ChabotTofino/Ucluelet
Dr. Carrie Marshall &
Dr. Luke Williston
This webpage is under construction as part of a new initiative for Rural Physician Support. We welcome your feedback and thank you for visiting this page. Please contact Rural Programs’ Liaison, medstaffdevelopment@islandhealth.ca with questions and suggestions.