Four communities in British Columbia have been chosen by Pain BC for a pilot project that will support the development of local operational plans for community-based chronic pain clinics. Kootenay Boundary, Cowi­chan Valley, and the Georgia Strait Divisions of Family Practice, as well as the community of Salmon Arm, will all benefit from the funding intended to relieve pressure off tertiary- and secondary-based pain services and to reduce congestion in local ER departments.

These communities were select­ed by nonprofit organization Pain BC based on the criteria of readiness, interest from key stakeholders, and having chronic pain service identified by GPs (through Divisions of Family Practice) as a priority and a need. This work is being sponsored by the Specialist Services Committee and Shar­ed Care Committee, with additional support from Regional Health Authorities and Divisions of Family Practice. For more information visit www.painbc.ca [9].