Ucluelet's only family medical clinic saved for another 18 months
The only family medical practice in Ucluelet, B.C., will continue to operate for another 18 months, Island Health announced Wednesday, just one week before the clinic's lease was set to expire.
The Ucluelet Medical Clinic will receive funding from Island Health to help cover overhead costs, such as leasing the space, utilities, janitorial services, and supplies.
The clinic will also alter its schedule, with two physicians available for in-person services on Mondays, and one physician available on Wednesdays,
On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, the clinic will only offer virtual services.
Earlier this month, clinic owner Dr. Carrie Marshall said the clinic had been running at an $80,000 deficit over the past few years, despite having more patients than double the town's entire population.
She said there was no way to continue operating the clinic, and no other expenses left to cut, based on her own research and the input of consultants.
Moving forward, Island Health says it will work on developing a primary care network for Ucluelet, in collaboration with community members, the Long Beach Chapter of the Rural and Remote Division of Family Practice, and local Indigenous communities.
Primary care networks connect family clinics with other specialized health-care workers, like nurse practitioners and mental health consultants, according to the health authority.
Island Health says its community health services staff will also be able to work in Ucluelet now, in a dedicated workspace, and store supplies in town.
Previously, these staff members were working in offices and stored supplies and equipment in Tofino, B.C.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Friday that Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
'We have laws': Premier Smith says police action justified in Calgary
The actions, including the decision to use non-lethal force, to disperse pro-Palestinian protesters from the University of Calgary campus were justified, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Friday.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.