A much-needed new addition has joined the West Shore area, bringing sought after healthcare to the community.
The all-new Westshore Community Health Centre has officially opened its doors as of today, serving the people of West Shore and beyond.
In a release Wednesday, Island Health announced people living in Colwood, Langford, Highlands and Metchosin will now have access to expanded primary care and social support with the opening of the Westshore Community Health Centre (CHC).
Starting June 1st, a team of 17.2 full-time equivalent health-care providers will be offering primary care and health-promotion services that are culturally safe and comprehensive to patients.
The team will include family doctors, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, social worker and community health workers, with a goal to gradually increase the team to 19 full-time providers.
“Access to primary care services is a challenge for people in the Westshore and across British Columbia,” said Premier John Horgan.
“With the Westshore Community Health Centre opening its doors, residents will have access to health care closer to home. This is all part of our government’s work to put patients at the centre of care with a modern, team-based primary care system.”
The Westshore CHC is a collaboration between the Ministry of Health and Pacific Centre Family Services Association (PCFSA), Island Health and the South Island Division of Family Practice.
The centre will integrate comprehensive services into the Western Communities Primary Care Network for patients with mental-health conditions and substance-use disorders, seniors and patients with complex needs.
It will also provide culturally safe care for Indigenous and 2SLGBTQ+ people.
In order to receive care at the CHC, eligible patients must register through the online Health Connect Registry.
The province will provide $1.9 million for one-time startup costs and approximately $4 million in annual operating funding once the centre reaches full time capacity.
The opening of the CHC marks the fifth community health centre in BC and the third in Greater Victoria.
“More people on the Westshore will benefit from greater access to primary care with the opening of this Community Health Centre,” said Mitzi Dean, MLA for Esquimalt-Metchosin and Minister of Children and Family Development.
“With health-care providers working together to provide comprehensive and patient-centred services to underserved and specialized populations, this is going to make a real difference for people in our region.”
Westshore Community Health Centre
- Location: 324 Goldstream Avenue, Pacific Centre Family Services Association
- Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sunday
