BC Family Physicians Call for Provincial Government to Cut Red Tape and Prioritize Patients
To connect more patients with care, the BC College of Family Physicians says the provincial government needs to cut red tape and reduce administrative burdens for family doctors.
British Columbia’s healthcare system is still in crisis, and red tape is a big part of the problem. This Red Tape Awareness Week, the BC College of Family Physicians (BCCFP) calls on the provincial government to reduce unnecessary administrative burdens by eliminating employer-mandated sick notes for short-duration illnesses and coordinating approaches for Electronic Medical Records (EMRs).
“A sick note is not a medically necessary service,” says Dr. Jennifer Lush, family physician and Vice President of the BCCFP. “Demands for sick notes increase the heavy administrative burden on family physicians, preventing us from spending more time with patients and reducing overall access to care.”
Time taken up by navigating excessive paper burdens reduces the ability of family physicians to provide crucial medical care to patients in BC. Minister of Health, the Hon. Josie Osborne, has reiterated Premier Eby’s commitment to prevent employer-mandated sick notes — now, the provincial government must follow through.
And sick notes aren’t the only problem. Currently, there is no coordinated approach to the adoption and funding of EMRs, forcing family physicians to spend more time navigating different systems than direct patient care. Without action from the provincial government, family physicians are being prevented from providing the quality of care that British Columbians need and deserve.
“Family physicians are overwhelmed, overworked, and burnt out,” emphasizes Dr. Lush. “It’s time for a new system that prioritizes clinical work and supports family physicians in meeting the real needs of patients across the province.”
Reduced capacity of family physicians directly contributes to prolonged wait times for care, misuse of emergency rooms, and broader system failures. With the return of the Legislature imminent, the provincial government must work with the BCCFP and its members to cut red tape and prioritize patients.
Catch up on the news coverage here:
- The Early Edition- Host Stephen Quinn, CBC – https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-91-the-early-edition
- Daybreak South- Host Chris Walker – https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-110-daybreak-south#episodes
- Global News – https://globalnews.ca/news/10990352/b-c-family-doctors-sick-notes/
- CBC – https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/doctor-sick-notes-1.7446620
- My PG Now – https://www.myprincegeorgenow.com/217745/news/b-c-college-of-family-physicians-says-sick-notes-are-a-thing-of-the-past/