What changes will be made to rural programs?
From 2007-08 to 2009-10, the government will provide $3.2 million in combined additional funding for the Rural Education Action Plan, the Rural Locum Program, the Physician Outreach Program and the Rural Continuing Medical Education Program. The funding will be used to continue attracting physicians to rural practices in BC. Starting in 2010-11, the government will provide additional funding as necessary to maintain the value of the benefits paid to individual physicians under the above mentioned programs, subject to the rules, guidelines and/or policies applicable to each of the rural programs. The Joint Standing Committee on Rural Issues (JSC) will conduct a review of the rural programs to assess their effectiveness in achieving appropriate levels of physician services and will provide recommendations to the government and the BCMA by October 1, 2009.
