Conservatives promise cuts that would put primary care at risk

COQUITLAM - The BC NDP will add a new Urgent and Primary Care Centre in Coquitlam, making it easier for people to get care for minor illnesses and injuries closer to home, and reducing pressure on hospital emergency departments.

“When you, your kids, or your parents need care, it needs to be available close to home,” said Jennifer Blatherwick, BC NDP candidate for Coquitlam-Maillardville. “Our plan is focused on better access to care, when and where people need it, while the Conservatives are promising cuts to key services.”

A re-elected BC NDP government will open a new Urgent and Primary Care Centre in Coquitlam. This builds on the 48 UPCCs already opened across the province, including in Port Moody and Port Coquitlam.

“As our community continues to grow, our healthcare services need to keep up,” said Jodie Wickens, BC NDP candidate for Coquitlam-Burke Mountain. “A new UPCC in Coquitlam means more people can receive care closer to home. It's one more way the BC NDP is making it easier for families to build a good life here.”

Since B.C.’s first UPCC opened in 2018, the centres have collectively provided more than five million visits. They offer patients primary care services from a team of professionals, including doctors, nurse practitioners, nurses and allied health professionals. By offering same-day and timely appointments, UPCCs make it easier and faster to access primary care.

This new UPCC is part of David Eby’s plan to continue strengthening healthcare for people. The plan includes tripling the successful recruitment of healthcare workers from the US, cutting surgery wait times with coordinated regional lists, and adding more MRIs and CT scanners - including a new MRI at Eagle Ridge Hospital.

The Conservatives have said healthcare would “take the brunt” of their budget cuts, which would put the primary care services that people count on at risk. They would cancel our US healthcare recruitment efforts, which have already attracted 800 new professionals to BC.

While the BC NDP will ask the top 4% to pay a little bit more in order to strengthen healthcare for everyone, the Conservatives would give tax breaks to their wealthy friends, and open the door to privatized care that lets the rich skip the line.

People can’t afford that risk.