FORT NELSON, B.C. - The Northern Rockies Regional Municipality is moving forward with the next phase of a business case examining the creation of a community-driven Health Partnership Clinic aimed at improving long-term access to primary care services in Fort Nelson.
The initiative comes after physician departures earlier this year prompted concerns about the stability of local health-care services.
In response, council established a Primary Care Stabilization Committee to examine options for the future delivery of family physician services in the Northern Rockies.
According to the municipality, the committee spent the spring reviewing primary care models from across Canada and evaluating which approaches could work in Fort Nelson.
The group ultimately recommended a municipally owned clinic operating through a collaborative partnership model that would support both primary care and critical care services.
The municipality is now undertaking a detailed business case process that includes reviewing operational models, clinical governance, physician integration, facility requirements and financial sustainability.
“Access to reliable primary healthcare is vital to the health and well-being of our community,” said Mayor Rob Fraser. “As part of Phase 2, we are taking a disciplined, transparent approach to evaluate clinic operational models, financial sustainability, and key partnerships so Council and our community have the complete information required to make sound, long-term decisions.”
Work currently underway includes discussions with organizations such as Northern Health and the Ministry of Health, exploring compensation and support models for physicians, examining governance structures and facility options, and planning public engagement with residents and Indigenous partners.
The municipality says updates will continue to be provided as the business case progresses and details on public engagement opportunities will be released in the coming months.
The proposed clinic has not yet been approved, with council awaiting the results of the business case before making any long-term decisions on the project.