Once the Quinsam Medical walk-in clinic closes November 17, there won’t be any more local walk-in options for patients.
After that, the Dogwood and Hilchey clinic will close permanently. Other walk-in clinics in town have already moved to only provide service to current patients.
Campbell River joins other BC communities who no longer have walk-in clinics, thanks to a shortage of doctors and funding to maintain them.
The Campbell River and District Division of Family Practice represents doctors in town and says people who don’t have a family physician can get on the list through HealthLink BC (link below).
HealthLink BC
Campbell River Community Health Programs
Meanwhile patients needing care can visit the hospital, or access community health and social service programs.
UPDATE 2023-11-03: Island Health provided the following statement in response.
We know it can be very stressful for patients when they lose access to a primary care provider or a clinic.
Since learning of the Quinsam walk-in clinic closing Island Health has been working in collaboration with the Division of Family Practice and Campbell River Primary Care Network on an interim solution.
Island Health is working with the Division of Family Practice and local physicians – supported by the General Practices Services Committee of the Doctors of BC and the Ministry of Health – to advance additional opportunities to improve access and attachment to primary care services for residents of the Campbell River area through the development of and investment in Primary Care Networks.
We know there is much work to do in primary care, and in partnership we are committed to continue to increase access and attachment for our communities.
