Posted on: June 17, 2024
On May 30, Michelle Crosby, Director of Community Health Services and Primary Care for Campbell River, Erin Harrison, Manager of Primary Care for Campbell River, Dr. Janet Conrad, CR PCAC Medical Lead and Campbell River Community Medical Director, along with members of the regional Island Health Primary Care Strategy team and the CR PCAC Clinical team, hosted an open house. The event celebrated the successful opening of the clinic and offered gratitude to all the partners who helped make this clinic a reality.
The last traditional walk-in clinic in Campbell River closed in November 2023. With thousands of unattached patients in the area, this was a challenge for the community and surrounding area. Island Health is committed to delivering on our strategic priority of improving access to the health and care services people need by strengthening primary care, and our Primary Care teams are truly making a difference in the communities they serve.
The new clinic is in the administration building on the North Island Hospital grounds in Campbell River. The clinic offers services by appointment Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm, for people who need access to same day primary care for non-emergency medical concerns. There is a dedicated health-care team including a physician or nurse practitioner, registered nurses, and a medical office assistant.
Since April 23, the clinic has provided care to over 250 patients. Michele Babchuk, North Island MLA shared, “This is a step forward in meeting the health care needs of people living in Campbell River. This clinic will provide residents access to primary care, which is a crucial link in maintaining wellness." BC Gov news: New primary-care access clinic opens in Campbell River | BC Gov News
Successfully opening this clinic required the support of committed internal and external partners including the Campbell River Division of Family Practice, the MedFar Electronic Medical Records team, Island Health Capital Planning, IM/IT, Infection Prevention and Control, Environmental Services, and Protection Services.
Special thanks go to Tom LeMesurier and the FMO team and to Katherine Smigielski from OHS. Additionally, many operational Urgent and Primary Care team members provided guidance including phenomenal support from Amber Hay, Johanna Bagabuyo, Whitney Schaefer, Evan Humphreys, and Jessica Arnott. The CR PCAC staff were instrumental moving the clinic from concept to reality. And finally, gratitude to the other programs in the building, including the staff of Positive Wellness North Island moving to a new area of the building, and the second-floor staff who have been so welcoming as CR PCAC finds its feet.
For more information about the clinic, you can check out the CR PCAC website, Campbell River Primary Care Access Clinic | Island Health
(Left to right CR PCAC; Christa Clark-Corrigall,RN, Charmaine Melanson (MOA), Erin Harrison, Manager and Danielle France, CNL)