Past recipients have utilized money to improve staff and patient experience. Turn your wish list into a to-do list. Applications are now open.

What would you do with a little extra money for your family practice clinic? Update some software? Invest in training? Make some capital improvements? Maybe digitize some of those lingering paper files?

The Vancouver Division of Family Practice is once again proud to offer financial grants to our community family practice clinics. The grants support your ideas for improving your clinic’s operations and building your networks.

Applications opened on October 18 with personalized emails and a custom application link sent to the owners of each clinic. The submission deadline is November 18, 2023, so now is the time to turn your wish list into a to-do list.

Who Qualifies for the Grants?

The clinic grant program is available to PMHs providing primary care to patients in the community. Clinic Grants may be used to enhance aspects of your PMH or further your PCN connections.

Clinics with one full time equivalent family physician are eligible to receive $1,800. Those with 2-4 FTEs qualify for $3,600, while clinics with five or more can receive $5,400.

For more information about qualification, consult our frequently asked questions list.

Grants Used for Wide Range of Important Purposes

While the amounts are modest, those who have utilized the program in years past have found the results to be valuable. In fact, 99% of the 128 clinics who took part last year say they’d be keen to do so again.

In past years grant money has been utilized to do everything from codifying onboarding procedures and transferring data to buying more accommodating furniture and less noisy printers.

In 2023, 41% of survey respondents used their grant money for purchasing software, hardware, or network updates. 30% invested in training or capacity building, while 32% used the grant to digitize files or support their EMR transition or onboarding. Capital improvements, documentation, and network development were also popular uses. (Results total more than 100%, as many grants served multiple purposes).

Grants a Win-Win for Clinics and Patients

The project results have benefitted both staff and patients.

85% of respondents say they improved clinic operations or workflow, while 83% enhanced patient care, 70% improved the experience of the physician or staff, and 54% enhanced the patient experience.

“I like the way the program allows participants to have a diversity of choice regarding their clinic’s area most in need of improvement,” said one physician. “This makes the funding very e­fficient.”

New this Year: Featured Projects

This year the Division is presenting two categories of featured projects. While these are by no means the only areas we’re proud to support, they are great thought starters for interested clinics. Those who participate in one of these key areas will receive additional support to complete their project, while also being able to network with other clinics who are considering similar projects.

Optimizing Your Clinic Team. These grants will support communication, culture, and teamwork.

Supporting Inclusive and Accessible Care for Diverse Patients. Vancouver is a highly diverse and multicultural city, so supporting inclusivity and accessible care is a key priority for the Division. These grants can be used for staff training, accessibility, or Division supports.

Easy Process, Great Results

The Vancouver Division of Family Practice aims to make this program as accessible as possible, and encourages all interested, eligible clinics to get involved. Past feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, and the vast majority of projects were completed on time and on budget.

Physicians typically found the process to be user-friendly.

“The application was very straightforward, the application was easy to respond to, and there was great communication when I had questions,” said another physician.

It’s no secret that clinic staff have been put to the test in recent years. Hiring some outside help may be just the ticket to accomplishing some improvements that have been stuck on the backburner.

Invest in your clinic, make life easier for your staff, and improve the level of care provided to your patients. The application window is Oct 18 to Nov 18, so get started today!