Call made for equal pay for walk-in clinic doctors

BRITISH COLUMBIA — A spokesman for the Walk-In Clinics of BC Association says walk-in doctors often see patients with complex conditions, but can’t charge the extra fees that are paid to family physicians.

Mike McLoughlin says the clinics fill a gap for patients who can’t get a family doctor, and he’s calling for equal pay for walk-in doctors.

He says some walk-in clinics have been forced to close as doctors retire and there aren’t enough new ones to replace them.

Health Minister Adrian Dix says walk-in doctors could be part of the province’s plan to connect more patients with family doctors through yet-to-be opened primary care networks.