What is a Family Practice Network?

A Family Practice Network, or FPN, provides a mechanism through which a physician group can address common practice and patient needs, have a collective voice on issues facing family practice, and address local population health needs, in coordination with the Regional Health Authority (RHA).  The FPN structure is a physician-led, non-profit organization.

What is the RE-Boot Family Practice Network?

The RE-Boot FPN was formed fall of 2019 and represents participating family physicians from the Burin & Bonavista Peninsulas, Clarenville & area, Conception Bay North, and Trinity North, Newfoundland.  The name represents our vision for the FPN.  RE-Boot represents Rural Eastern physicians, history of the Burin Peninsula including reference to the “boot”, and a restart, or “RE-Boot” in family practice. The reference is symbolic to the FPN and provides a mechanism to support and achieve Family practice needs and pursuit of improved patient care.

Why should I join the RE-Boot FPN? What will it do for me?

The RE-Boot FPN will provide family physicians with a structure and supports to address physician and practice issues in our local area.  Through area physician consultations, the FPN has identified several priorities to start with, including:

• In collaboration with the RHA, identify effective communication & collaborative mechanisms to engage priority consultant services.
• Implement solutions to discuss, define physician and consultant practice & referral needs, and streamline referral processes where possible.
• In addition, identify solutions for more effective shared care with priority allied health resources.
• In partnership with the RHA, prioritize patient access & service needs through FPN member surveys, focus groups.
• Identify and develop other opportunities to improve family physician relationships across practices, e.g. physician wellness activities, practice management activities in partnership with FPRP.
• Develop activities to identify/leverage common regional and local practice management needs and increase knowledge exchange through FPN developed solutions, or leveraging FPRP, other FPN solutions that match local needs.
• Develop supportive structures for new graduates (e.g. orientation information, processes for acute care facilities, services and contracts), and expanding where applicable Resident site training experiences across rural eastern region, or local communities based on identified FPN needs.
• Development of solutions to reduce and identify efficiencies for administrative responsibilities in practice, e.g. leveraging other practice management support programs, e.g. FPRP, or other FPNs, and incorporating FPN specific needs & solutions with FPN physician offerings.

Who can be members of the FPN?

• Membership in FPNs is categorized into voting and non-voting.
• Voting members will be practicing family physicians/general practitioners (GPs) who deliver the majority of their services in the geographic area (this includes locums) and who are licensed and in good standing with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Newfoundland and Labrador (CPSNL).
• Non-voting members can be Medical Residents holding a full or educational license with the CPSNL, or a retired GP.

Can salaried family physicians participate in the FPN?

Yes, salaried family physicians can participate within the FPN, and we encourage participation to facilitate increased collaboration with your physician colleagues and other providers on common needs.

This sounds like a lot of work. How will we do all of this?

An FPN Executive Director will be hired, dedicated to FPN Board operations, management, and implementation of all FPN priorities with FPRP support.

How will patients benefit from all this?

The RE-Boot FPN will work with Eastern Health to address common health care goals and gaps in our local communities, contributing to improved population health outcomes. It will also provide practice and clinical support to family physicians, which will lead to improved access for patients.

How do I become a member?

Complete the RE-Boot FPN Membership Application Form. 

Who sits on the RE-Boot FPN Board of Directors?

1. Dr. Jackie Elliott, Port Blandford (Chair)
2. Dr. Megan Hayes, Harbour Grace (Vice-Chair)
3. Dr. Annabeth Loveys, CBS (Treasurer)
4. Dr. David Kwinter, Burin
5. Dr. Chris Peddle, Carbonear
6. Dr. Philip Holloway, Carbonear
7. Dr. Erin FitzPatrick, Burin Bay Arm
8. Dr. Sarah Small, Clarenville
9. Dr. Gordon Stockwell, Clarenville

How is the FPN funded?

Funding is provided through an annual operational budget allocation for administrative expenses such as the hiring of an Executive Director to run the FPN, and for administrative and governance services provided by the physicians who take on a leadership role.  Funding is based on membership numbers.