Vernon, a city in British Columbia with a population of about 47,000 people, is facing a significant shortage of family doctors. According to Leigha Horsfield, the executive director of Community Futures, roughly 20 to 23,000 residents in the city are without access to primary care. This shortage has been exacerbated by the closure of Vernon’s only walk-in clinic, which has left many residents struggling to find a family physician. The situation is particularly challenging for seniors, maternity patients, and other community members in need of ongoing medical care.
Recognizing the importance of adequate healthcare in supporting a healthy economy, Community Futures is taking on the task of enhancing health services and helping people find a family physician in Vernon. While the organization typically focuses on promoting economic development, Horsfield highlights the interconnectedness of health and economy. She emphasizes that without access to primary care, attracting skilled labor to the community and addressing other social determinants of health, such as employment, become significant barriers. As a result, Community Futures is working on a proposal to establish a community-based health clinic in Vernon.
The proposed community health clinic aims to provide longitudinal care and attach individuals without a family physician to a primary care provider. In addition to medical services, the clinic would also include allied health professionals and collaborate with existing health services in the community. Horsfield envisions the clinic as a multi-use space that adapts to the evolving needs of the community, with input from a community advisory group. The proposal is still in the early stages of development, and the exact funding required to launch the project is yet to be determined.
The Ministry of Health in British Columbia is aware of the efforts by the community of Vernon to establish the community health clinic. The ministry anticipates receiving the proposal on June 3 and will review it alongside other similar applications for similar healthcare facilities. While there is no set timeline for the approval process, the ministry emphasizes the importance of aligning the new clinic with the existing primary care investments in the region, such as the Vernon Urgent and Primary Care Centre that opened in 2019. The ministry works closely with Primary Care Networks in the community to plan and develop primary care services that meet the specific needs of each area.
In summary, the city of Vernon is facing a shortage of family doctors, leaving a significant portion of the population without access to primary care. In response, Community Futures is working on a proposal to establish a community-based health clinic that would provide longitudinal care and address the healthcare needs of underserved residents. The Ministry of Health is aware of the initiative and will evaluate the proposal in conjunction with existing primary care investments in the region. Through collaborative efforts between community organizations and government agencies, the hope is to improve health outcomes and support economic development in Vernon. The importance of addressing healthcare disparities and ensuring access to essential medical services is crucial in building a healthy and thriving community.
