BC Gov News
People living in and around Ucluelet will have better access to team-based primary care when doors open on Monday, Sept. 22, 2025, to the Ucluelet Health Centre.
“As Ucluelet, hitaču and Macoah grow, so does the need to increase access to health care,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health. “This new centre will connect people to the care they need, whether it’s a family doctor, physiotherapy, lab tests, or mental health supports, making it easier for residents to access services closer to home.”
The new health centre at 2094 Peninsula Rd. will offer co-located services, including primary-care and community-health services, such as mental-health and substance-use care, physiotherapy, home care and laboratory services. It is estimated the centre will support more than 15,000 visits per year, with approximately 6,000 patient visits facilitated at the primary-care clinic.
People seeking primary-care services can register to connect with a primary-care provider through the Health Connect Registry.
“The addition of this modern health centre to the Ucluelet community means more patients can receive care from a dedicated team of primary-care providers, now and into the future,” said Leah Hollins, board chair, Island Health. “Further, the addition of community-care services at the centre was done intentionally to create more timely access to services that support the health and well-being of area residents.”
The centre will be open Monday to Thursday, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Visits will be scheduled by appointment only. The centre will offer primary-care services provided by physicians and nurse practitioners. There will also be health specialists visiting from other locations.
The Ministry of Health is supporting the centre through its annual grant to Island Health, including a commitment of more than $1.5 million for projected annual operating costs and one-time startup costs of nearly $160,000.
Island Health provided funding for capital costs associated with the building.
As well, through BC’s Primary Care Strategy, the Long Beach Primary Care Network is funding some of the centre’s human resources.
Quotes:
Dr. Caitlin Blewett, Ucluelet family physician working at the new clinic –
“There is huge excitement in the community about the investment in primary-care and community services that is apparent in the new health centre. Community members are so enthusiastic about the new space, both for the opportunities for primary care to improve and expand services, and the sense of pride that I think we all share, knowing our families and neighbours will be cared for in a beautiful, functional, team-based facility.”
Debra Toporowski, parliamentary secretary for rural health –
“The new health centre is great news for people living in and around Ucluelet who can be connected to a primary-care provider and access community services or counselling all under one roof. This centre is another example of how we’re working to meet the health-care needs of people in rural communities across the province.”
Marilyn McEwen, mayor of Ucluelet –
“This is such a long-awaited and much-needed new amenity for Ucluelet and area residents. Mayor and council have been working toward this day for over 10 years, and we thank Island Health for prioritizing the Ucluelet Health Centre. Our community will benefit from the centre for years to come.”
Learn More:
To access primary care and other health services in your community, visit HealthLinkBC:
https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/find-care/find-health-services
To learn more about the Province’s Primary-Care strategy, visit:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/accessing-health-care/bcs-primary-care-system
To learn about the Province’s Health Human Resources Strategy, visit:
https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2022HLTH0059-001464