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Improving access to care through Indigenous community health centres

Press Release

April 22, 2026

VICTORIA –

Summary

  • Laichwiltach Indigenous Community Health Centre (ICHC) in Campbell River celebrates one year of care, so far supporting attachments for thousands of patient visits
  • The Port Alberni ICHC breaks ground with a cleansing ceremony to prepare the space that will accommodate approximately 38,000 annual patient visits and see more than 3,700 patients attached to the team
  • At full capacity, the ICHCs will bring 36.45 full-time-equivalent (FTE) health-care providers to the northern Island and west coast regions of Vancouver Island, improving access to culturally safe care

People in the northern Island and west coast regions of Vancouver Island are benefiting from enhanced access to Indigenous-led care that’s closer to home.

“Indigenous people living in rural areas need access to culturally safe health care that reflects Indigenous perspectives, histories and lived experiences without having to travel long distances,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health. “These centres offer primary care tailored to the community’s needs and better access to a family physician, registered nurses and other health-care providers in a trauma-informed, culturally appropriate environment.”

With the introduction of two new Indigenous community health centres (ICHC), more people will receive culturally informed care from about 36 full-time-equivalent (FTE) health-care providers. The ICHCs will connect more than 5,750 patients to a primary-care provider. Combined, the centres are expected to accommodate approximately 60,000 patient visits a year.

Laichwiltach ICHC

The Laichwiltach ICHC in Campbell River marked its one-year anniversary on Friday, April 10, 2026. Since opening, the centre has provided access to culturally safe team-based care to thousands of patients.

Funded through B.C.’s Primary Care Strategy, the ICHC blends traditional healing and western medicine, offering community-based primary care, Elder and Traditional Healer services, and support navigating health systems. It provides services Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with plans to extend hours based on demand.

When fully operational, the clinic will have staffing of approximately 2.22 FTE family physicians, 1.2 FTE nurse practitioners, 3.45 FTE registered nurses, one FTE occupational therapists, one FTE dietitian, one FTE physiotherapist, two FTE social workers and three FTE community health workers.

The ICHC is governed and operated by Laichwiltach Family Life Society, a local community-based non-profit organization, and is part of the Campbell River and District Primary Care Network.

Port Alberni ICHC

Construction is underway for the Port Alberni ICHC, an initiative of the Port Alberni Primary Care Network, funded through B.C.’s primary-care strategy. This new ICHC will be governed and operated by the Port Alberni Friendship Centre. It is anticipated to open in early 2027 at 2889 3rd Ave., Port Alberni.

The Port Alberni ICHC is expected to attach approximately 3,700 patients to a primary-care provider.

The ICHC will have a clinical staffing complement of approximately three FTE family physicians, two FTE nurse practitioners, 3.45 FTE registered nurses, 1.15 FTE licensed practical nurse, one FTE dietitian, one FTE physiotherapist, one FTE occupational therapist, two FTE traditional health-care providers and four FTE social workers, providing care to approximately 38,000 patients annually and attaching approximately 3,700 patients to a primary care provider.

Investing in accessible primary care

The ICHCs will attach people to a primary-care provider through the Health Connect Registry. The Province has approved almost $3.5 million in one-time tenant improvement funding to establish the Laichwiltach ICHC and an annual operating budget of more than $3 million. The Province has committed approximately $2.7 million in one-time tenant improvement funding for the Port Alberni ICHC and an annual operating budget of $3.8 million, which includes financial support for a mental-health, substance-use mobile clinic and a mental-health, substance-use clinic.

The investments align with B.C.’s primary-care strategy to improve access to team-based, patient-focused care through primary-care networks, urgent and primary care centres, First Nations primary-care centres and community health centres (CHC). The development of the ICHCs also align with the Ministry of Health’s commitment to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples to deliver services that are First Nations led and informed by traditional wellness values and by the lived experiences of Indigenous people.

Quick Facts:

  • CHCs are multi-sectoral, not-for-profit organizations providing comprehensive, person-, family- and community-centred, culturally safe, low-barrier, quality primary health care.
  • CHCs are geographically defined, can serve multiple areas and are community governed with primary-care services (longitudinal and episodic) tailored to meet the health needs of the community.
  • CHCs are owned by not-for-profit organizations and health authorities, with each serving as a vital hub for delivering comprehensive and accessible health-care services to local populations, fostering community well-being and promoting preventive care.
  • There are 15 new or significantly expanded community health centres announced and in implementation through B.C.’s primary-care strategy.

Learn More:

A backgrounder follows.

Contact:

Ministry of Health
Media Relations
250-952-1887

BACKGROUNDER

What people are saying about ICHCs

Debra Toporowski, parliamentary secretary for rural health –

“These community health centres, geared towards Indigenous primary health care, is a great step toward meeting the needs of people living in rural areas. We’re continuing to build on our commitments to bring more health-care providers into remote communities and increase attachments, strengthening our health-care system.”

Stephanie Higginson, parliamentary secretary for primary care access –

“The two Indigenous health centres mean people will have expanded access to culturally safe primary care closer to home. Improved access to team-based care is critical for improving health outcomes in rural and remote regions.”

Leah Hollins, board chair, Island Health –

“These Indigenous community health centres demonstrate the power of partnership, bringing culturally safe, community-led care closer to home while advancing reconciliation and trust for Indigenous patients.”

Merci Lewis (Brown), health director, Laichwiltach Community Health Centre –

“We believe our approach to care is easing the burden on the emergency department and hospital staff by supporting clients with their physical health and their mental, emotional and spiritual well-being, all within a trusted health-care team.”

Greg Shea, chief operating officer, First Nations Health Authority –

“ICHCs, together with the 15 Nation-led primary-care centres funded by the First Nations Health Authority in partnership with the Ministry of Health, are bringing services closer to home and creating safe, welcoming spaces for First Nations people across B.C. to access the care they deserve.”

Francine Gascoyne, director of nursing and primary care, Vancouver Island region, First Nations Health Authority –

“Many First Nations people have had to delay or avoid seeking care due to systemic racism within the health system and the intergenerational impacts of residential schools and Indian hospitals. These harms are further compounded by the geographic realities of many First Nations communities, where people may need to travel long distances by off-road vehicle, boat or float plane to reach even basic health services. Despite these challenges, communities continue to show strength, resilience and leadership in advancing Nation-led, culturally grounded models of care.”

Contact:

Ministry of Health
Media Relations
250-952-1887

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