DAWSON CREEK -- The City of Dawson Creek in stepping in to save the Eljen Medical Clinic from closing its doors.
“The City of Dawson Creek and the South Peace Division of Family Practice have been working to secure the future of primary healthcare in the area. In partnership with key stakeholders, the City of Dawson Creek is in the process of successfully negotiating the purchase of the Eljen Medical Clinic building,” said the city in a statement.
At the end of March, The South Peace Division of Family Practice said it was looking for a buyer to operate the clinic as a regional primary care hub servicing Dawson Creek, Chetwynd, Pouce Coupe, and surrounding rural areas.
“We understand the importance of securing healthcare for our community both today and into the future, and this was one way that we could continue to support healthcare needs in our community”, stated Mayor Darcy Dober.
The acquisition of the clinic represents a significant step forward in the ongoing effort to sustain clinical spaces, prioritize patient-centered care, and transform the primary healthcare system.
With this secure foundation in place, the division aims to preserve vital healthcare infrastructure and ensure continued access to essential primary care services and reaffirm their dedication to enhancing the health and well-being of the community and region for years to come.
There currently, there are 6,500 patients unattached to a primary care physician in the South Peace, based on the provincial registry.
There have been concerns that four doctors could leave Dawson Creek, leaving another nearly 4000 residents without a family physician.
“We understand healthcare and how important it is for doctors, and we want to work with doctors, and we want to promote why Dawson Creek and why this whole region is an amazing place for doctors,” said Dober.
