New primary health care centre opens in Mount Waddington

PORT HARDY – Accessible health and wellness in Mount Waddington was the theme today at the ribbon-cutting and First Nations blessing celebrating the completion of the new Port Hardy Primary Health Care Centre building.

“By providing services in a patient-centered primary setting, we’re helping reduce demands on Port Hardy Hospital’s emergency department and offering easily accessible care,” said Health Minister Terry Lake. “Today’s announcement follows the government’s commitment to ensuring timely and appropriate access to rural health care for the families of the Mt. Waddington area.”

The health care centre, located at the north end of the Port Hardy Hospital property, will be fully operational by spring 2015. Primary health and some community care services will be consolidated in one convenient location.

“The Mount Waddington Regional Hospital District is pleased to partner in this project that will significantly benefit the whole region,” said Regional District Chair Dave Rushton. “It is an important addition that will support access to essential care services and the overall health of our residents.”

The centre will house an integrated primary health care team including physicians, nurse practitioners and staff providing overall care coordination for clients. There will also be space for visiting medical specialists and visiting community practitioners such as a regional dietitian, chronic disease management educator, Home and Community Care and Mental Health and Substance Use staff.

“On behalf of Island Health, our partners and all the people who will use this facility, I would like to thank everyone who helped to envision, design and build the new Port Hardy Primary Health Care Centre,” said Don Hubbard, Island Health Board Chair. “It was an outstanding community-led effort.”

The project is the result of Island Health’s ongoing commitment to supporting accessible, culturally safe and sustainable health care services for Mount Waddington area residents. Island Health worked in partnership with the Mount Waddington Health Services Stabilization Working Group to develop and implement the centre as part of its strategy to build a sustainable health care system and improve the health of local residents.

The Mount Waddington Health Services Stabilization Working Group—now known as the Mount Waddington Collaborative Working Group (CWG)—was established to develop, along with Island Health, a community-led plan to strengthen and stabilize health services in Mount Waddington. The CWG includes representatives from the Mount Waddington Health Network, First Nations, Regional District of Mount Waddington, municipalities, physicians and Island Health.

“This is an important day for everyone in Mount Waddington,” said Dr. David Whittaker, CWG Chair. “Without robust primary care, the health care system cannot provide you with what you need. It is our hope that this new building provides the catalyst for integrated and collaborative primary health care to flourish. We look forward to continuing to work with our communities to ensure improved health care delivery.”

The cost of the project is approximately $2.6 million, with Island Health providing $1.84 million and the Mount Waddington Regional Hospital District contributing $760,000.

Construction began in May 2014 and in a few short months, the property was transformed into a modern, single-level, 482-square-metre (5183-square-foot) building. The centre was completed on schedule and on budget by Norkan Construction, a Port McNeill company. The majority of the sub-contractors who worked on the project were also local companies.

“The new centre is a great asset for the community,” said Hank Bood, District of Port Hardy Mayor. “The primary and community care services easily accessed here will help residents stay healthy, get better and manage ongoing illnesses.”

The enhanced access it offers is also expected to reduce demand for walk-in services at the Port Hardy Hospital emergency department. Clients will be able to get non-emergency medical conditions dealt with in an appropriate, non-emergency setting.

“The centre’s close proximity to the hospital makes it practical for the care providers who will access both locations,” said Alison Mitchell, Director of health services in Mount Waddington. “The opportunity to work in a new, integrated facility with an excellent collaborative team of care providers will also help to attract physicians and other health professionals to Mount Waddington.”

The new Port Hardy Primary Health Care Centre is the first step in a phased approach to support the delivery of fully integrated primary care services to residents in the Mount Waddington region. Fully integrated care will allow clients and their families to access a broader range of services in one location and will promote increased collaboration among multi-disciplinary care providers.

-30-

Photo: Chief Calvin Hunt spreads eagle down during the Port Hardy Primary Health Care Centre celebration on January 22, 2015. With Chief Hunt, left to right:Jean Wheeler, Island Health Board, Jeff Beselt, Executive Medical Director Geography 1 and Alison Mitchell, Director Health Service, Mount Waddington/Strathcona. (For a high-resolution image, visit www.flickr.com/photos/islandhealth/)

Media Inquiries
Val Wilson
Manager, Regional Communications
Phone: 250.739.6303

Port Hardy Primary Health Care Centre key dates

November 2011: The Mount Waddington Health Services Stabilization local working group (now known as the Mount Waddington Collaborative Working Group), comprised of community, the Mount Waddington Health Network, First Nations, Regional District of Mount Waddington, municipalities, physicians and Island Health representatives was established to develop a community-led plan to strengthen and stabilize health services in Mount Waddington.

March 2012: The Local Working Group submitted its report and recommendations to Island Health in March 2012, and the health authority responded to the recommendations in July 2012. To read the report and Island Health’s response as well as recent newsletters, visit: http://www.viha.ca/about_viha/community/mt_waddington.htm

One of the key recommendations of that report called for the creation of two Integrated Community Care Facilities in the region starting first with a facility for Port Hardy, followed by a second centre in Port McNeill.

May 2013: A draft functional plan for the facility was created by the User Group – nurse practitioners, general practitioners, medical office assistants and First Nations representatives.

September 2013: Island Health posted a Notice of Intent to negotiate the purchase of property adjacent to Port Hardy Hospital to provide North Island residents with improved access to primary health care. Initial plans called for construction of an addition to the existing Port Hardy Medical Clinic.

January 30, 2014: Construction of a new facility was preferred over an option that had been considered to add to the existing Port Hardy Medical Clinic on Thunderbird Way. The new building was able to be constructed without disrupting functions at the existing medical clinic and allows for close proximity to the hospital for clinicians. It also allows for expansion to include integrated community services for the region.

March 2014: Dave Nelson of Port McNeill-based Norkan Construction, was the successful proponent following a Request for Qualifications process for a construction manager for the project.

April 25, 2014: A blessing of the land and ground-breaking ceremony took place at the building site.

May 2014: Construction on the single-level, 482-square-metre (5183-square-foot) building began.

November 2014: The project was completed on schedule and on budget.

January 22, 2015: A First Nations blessing of the completed building and a ribbon-cutting ceremony took place at the new facility, 9140 Granville St., Port Hardy, BC.

Spring 2015: The new Port Hardy Primary Health Care Centre will open its doors to provide a range of primary health care services to help residents stay healthy, get better and manage ongoing illness or disease such as first contact with a physician or nurse for new conditions not requiring urgent or emergency care, regular check-ups, follow up visits for chronic conditions and prescription renewals.

The new Port Hardy Primary Health Care Centre is a step toward a fully integrated primary care centre that will allow patients to access a range of services in one location and promote increased collaboration among multi-disciplinary care providers.

The new centre will benefit clients by providing them with easier access to integrated primary and community care services. It will also assist with recruitment and retention of physicians and other health professionals, provide space for physicians, nurse practitioners, visiting medical specialists and visiting community practitioners such as a regional dietitian, chronic disease management educator, Home and Community Care and Mental Health and Substance Use staff.

The improved access to primary care at the new centre is also expected to reduce demand for services at the emergency department of Port Hardy Hospital, with clients accessing non-emergency medical care in an appropriate, non-emergency setting.

The cost of the project is approximately $2.6 million, with Island Health providing $1.84 million and the Mount Waddington Regional Hospital District contributing $760,000.

The design of the facility will allow for future expansion to support a broader range of services as Island Health strives for increased integration of care for Mount Waddington residents and visitors.

Media Inquiries
Val Wilson
Manager, Regional Communications
Phone: 250.739.6303