Doctors of BC policy paper gives significant boost to family caregivers in BC

With one million British Columbians providing 70-75% of the care for family and friends faced with disease, disability or frailty due to aging, family caregivers need and deserve to be formally recognized as part of BC’s health care system.

Family Caregivers of British Columbia, who was consulted for the recently released policy paper from Doctors of BC, “Circle of Care: Supporting Family Caregivers in BC”, supports the inclusion of family caregivers in patient and family centred care.

“This is a significant boost for family caregivers in BC,” says Barb MacLean, executive director of Family Caregivers of British Columbia. “We are thrilled with the policy focus of this paper, and to our knowledge it is a first in Canada. We expect it to help accelerate a shift in health care culture and policy towards patient and family centred care.”

“I feel we’re gaining ground”, says MacLean. “We have a solid foundation to build on, with existing support from the Ministry of Health, Patients as Partners initiative and Island Health. Our vision is that every family caregiver in BC has access to support, and that they are included as partners in care. The Doctors of BC Policy paper puts family caregivers more firmly on the health care agenda.”

Family Caregivers of British Columbia, (formerly Family Caregivers’ Network Society), is a registered charity whose mission is to inform, support, and educate to improve the quality of life for family caregivers throughout British Columbia. The organization provides leadership to strengthen the voice of family caregivers and promote the significance of the family caregiver’s role. They also offer direct support to family caregivers, with a toll-free BC Caregiver Support Line (1-877-520-3267), education and an online Caregiver Resource Center.

More information about the policy paper can be found on the Doctors of BC website: https://www.doctorsofbc.ca/working-change/health-policy/policy-papers.

For more information, please contact:
Barb MacLean, Executive Director, Family Caregivers of BC
Phone: 250-384-0408 or Email: barbmaclean@familycaregiversbc.ca
www.familycaregiversbc.ca