Dear Patients, I hope this message finds you well. As your healthcare provider, I have always strived to uphold the highest ethical standards and ensure your well-being. It is with a heavy heart that I announce the closure of my practice at Sitka Health Centre, effective July 31, 2024.
Practice Closure Announcement
After careful consideration and in alignment with my commitment to patient care and ethical responsibility, I have decided to close my practice. This decision has not been made lightly, but it is necessary to maintain the integrity and quality of care that you deserve.
Ensuring Your Access to Medical Records
You will soon receive documentation regarding this transition from MedRecords, a non-profit organization endorsed by Doctors of BC. MedRecords provides affordable medical record storage and transfer services, ensuring your access to medical records remains secure and uninterrupted. You can find more information here.
Reasons for the Closure
My decision to close the practice is deeply rooted in my ethical duty to ensure that each of you receives the best possible care. Despite my best efforts, the current systemic challenges within the broader healthcare landscape have made it increasingly difficult to maintain these standards in a way that meets your needs and expectations.
Ethical Commitments and Healthcare Challenges
My ethical commitments emphasize the importance of patient welfare, autonomy, and justice. These values have guided my reflection on the limitations imposed by the current structure of healthcare delivery, which impact my ability to make necessary improvements and uphold these vital principles. The financial and operational realities of maintaining a practice in today’s healthcare environment further complicate our shared goal of delivering exceptional care.
Next Steps and Support
This decision, though difficult, is made from a place of integrity and responsibility. It reflects my unwavering dedication to your well-being and to upholding the ethical standards that form the cornerstone of our profession. As we navigate this transition, I am committed to supporting you, offering guidance, and providing resources to help you find continuing care. I strongly recommend you register with the Health Connect Registry so that you may be waitlisted for the next available practitioner. You can register here.
A Final Note of Gratitude
I am deeply grateful for the trust and privilege of being your healthcare provider. Your health and well-being remain my utmost priority, and I encourage you to reach out with any questions or for further assistance as we move forward. Warm regards, Dr. Irfan Rajani, BSc (Pharm), BMBS, CCFP Family Physician, Sitka Health Centre Board of Directors, BC Family Doctors PCN Co-Lead Interurban/Tillicum/Quadra/Swan Lake PCN Physician Lead for the Clinical Pharmacy Strategy and Indigenous Wellness Program Patient Complexity SME, First Nations Health Authority Clinical Instructor, Division of Family Medicine University of British Columbia