Contact Us
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday 9:00am -4:30pm; exception Wed 9:00am – 7:00pm
*Please note: Closed all statutory holidays.
Address:
Riverfront Building, Suite 106 – 1101 Dewdney Ave, Trail, BC V1R 4T1
Where to find us:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a CHC and Why is this Happening?
What is the CHC? Could you summarize for me?
A Community Health Centre (CHC) is a not-for-profit, community-governed organization that prioritizes improving the health and well-being of populations who face barriers to accessing healthcare, focusing on primary care, health promotion, and addressing social determinants of health.
Do you have to do this?
No, no one is being forced to do this. Many practitioners have been advocating for a CHC for years as the current options are not meeting our needs. The CHC addresses this concern and is an opportunity to create sustainable primary care for our community.
Are other communities forming Community Health Centres? Where?
Yes, there are CHCs across the province and the country. Some of the newer CHCs in the Interior Health district include Rutland Community Clinic in Kelowna and STEPS in Kamloops.
How is a CHC different from my current clinic or other clinics?
The CHC is community owned and operated with a strong focus on providing team-based care and addressing the social determinants of health and the needs of the most vulnerable in our communities.
Is a Community Health Centre also a Primary Care Centre? Are they different or the same?
Yes, a Community Health Center offers primary care like a privately owned clinic; the difference is a CHC is community owned and operated.
Who is on The Board and what do they do?
The Society’s governing Board of Directors is structured to ensure a membership that represents the communities it serves. It is made up of appointees from each of the Lower Columbia’s five municipalities, two electoral districts and the Lower Columbia’s aboriginal community. In addition, three directors from the general population of the Lower Columbia are elected to represent citizen-patients. Membership in the Society is open to all residents of the Lower Columbia who meet the basic criteria of the bylaws and the Societies Act.
Who Can Access Services?
Will you see walk-in patients from any clinic? (patients and clinicians)
No, the Lower Columbia CHC is not a walk-in clinic.
Can we send patients to see your physio? (from a Waneta clinician who has patients downtown).
No, the allied health providers can only provide care to patients rostered with the Lower Columbia CHC.
New patients? (prioritized from the Registry)
As we grow, we will accept new patients from Kootenay Boundary’s Health Connect Registry (KBHCR.ca). If you currently have no provider, please register with the HCR by phoning 811.
Can I transfer from another clinic?
No, our priority is to provide a doctor or nurse practitioner to patients who don’t currently have a provider.
How is the CHC staffing the clinic? Will hiring impact other local health services?
Recruiting for the CHC team will be done broadly through various channels. Primary Care Network (PCN) staff will not be targeted, however they would not be excluded from applying, should they choose to do so.
How Will it Work?
Will I have the same doctor or nurse practitioner?
Yes. You will also have access to additional health care providers based on your needs.
Will you have extended hours?
As the capacity of the CHC grows, patients will be notified of any changes in hours to better accommodate diverse needs.
Who will work there?
The Lower Columbia CHC team will include family physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, social workers, community health workers, including one specifically focused on indigenous patient needs, physiotherapist, medical office assistants, and an executive director.