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Pine Free clinic defenders seek fresh ideas

Supporters of Pine Free Clinic gathered in Vancouver-Point Grey NDP MLA David Eby’s office Friday afternoon to try to save the clinic slated for closure. Vancouver Coastal Health is cutting funding to the walk-in youth clinic.
Pine Free
More than 60 people squeezed into Eby’s office, concerned about Vancouver Coastal Health’s decision to cut funding to the walk-in youth clinic.

Supporters of Pine Free Clinic gathered in Vancouver-Point Grey NDP MLA David Eby’s office Friday afternoon to try to save the clinic slated for closure.

Vancouver Coastal Health is cutting funding to the walk-in youth clinic.

“The quality of care Pine Free provides is above and beyond anything I’ve been able find in Vancouver,” said Ryan Caron, a UBC psychology graduate working in mental health. “I turned 25 this year, and I’ve been looking for a GP since then. No clinic I’ve been to has provided the same friendliness, openness, the same attention to care.”

Ideas to save Pine Free included letter writing, a rally, strengthening the petition that currently has 863 signatures, and demanding a meeting with Vancouver Coastal Health.

The discussion included other clinics facing similar funding cuts and closures. Several Pacific Spirit clients attended the meeting, as well as NDP MLA for New Westminster and health critic Judy Darcy, Vancouver-West End NDP MLA Spencer Chandra Herbert, and Vancouver-Fairview NDP MLA George Heyman.

According to Eby, Vancouver Coastal Health issued displacement notices to primary care staff at several clinics April 30 and to 14 physicians the day after. These physicians could potentially remain at the clinics, but they would have to switch to a fee-for-service model. The change would make clinics like Pine Free inaccessible for those without health insurance. The health authority has said that services offered at Pine Free will be offered at Raven Song Clinic.

Vancouver Coastal Health’s plan to restructure primary care has caused protest from patient groups. The restructuring of primary care means that some clinics are facing partial funding cuts, forcing them to provide fewer non-primary care services like nursing or counselling. Funding for Pine Free will cease completely.

At least one person argued that youth on the West side should not be neglected simply because they live in an affluent neighbourhood.

“One of the biggest misunderstandings about [Pine Free] is that Kitsilano youth don’t need help because they’re not poor,” said Chloe Packer, a UBC grad. Holly Janus, a UBC anthropology student, added “but when you’re a youth, you don’t have resources and you may be scared to ask for help if you can’t remain anonymous.”

Clinics affected by Vancouver Coastal Health’s restructuring of primary care services include: Evergreen, Mid-Main, Pacific Spirit, Pine Free and South Vancouver.

Note: This story has been corrected since it was posted. 

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