Media Contacts

Ministry of Health

Communications
250 952-1887 (media line)

Island Health

Communications
250 370-8878 (media line)

Backgrounders

What people are saying about team-based care

Sheila Malcolmson, MLA for Nanaimo

“I am proud that a nurse practitioner primary care clinic is opening in Nanaimo. It is an exciting step forward for people living in the community. I am especially looking forward to the added services that I know will make a big difference in the lives of thousands of residents.”

Doug Routley, MLA for Nanaimo-North Cowichan

“Team-based and patient-centred care has been growing since our government launched its primary care strategy in 2018. I am excited for the next step that we are taking – creating clinics led by nurse practitioners. I am proud that people in my community, Nanaimo, will be the first to benefit from it.”

Michael Sandler, executive director, Nurses and Nurse Practitioners of BC (NNPBC) –

“Nurses and Nurse Practitioners of BC are pleased to have helped to lead the process of conceptualizing and opening these nurse practitioner (NP) primary care clinics with strong community support. It has been with the diligence and advocacy of the NP council of NNPBC and, in particular, our director of NP provincial initiatives Danielle Daigle and project manager Patricia Telford whose detailed knowledge of the inner workings of NP practice within the larger health-care delivery context has been key to getting where we are today. We applaud this approach to team-based care that taps into the expertise of nurse practitioners as primary care providers as well as all health-care staff. This clinic is key to ensuring B.C. families can access timely health-care services when they need them, and we are thrilled about the opening of the first NP primary care clinic in Nanaimo."

Leah Hollins, board chair, Island Health –

“This first of its kind clinic on Vancouver Island will be an important part of the network of care that serves the people of Nanaimo. The centre will connect people to an integrated team of professionals to provide them with the timely, appropriate care they need.”

Nexus Primary Care Clinic

The new nurse practitioner primary care clinic in Nanaimo is owned and operated by the Nexus Patient and Community Care Society.

  • The centre will open gradually, starting with two nurse practitioners on June 30. Appointments at this time will be conducted both virtually and in person. The current hours of operation at the clinic are Monday, Tuesday and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Once it is fully staffed by Sept. 15, 2020, hours will expand to include weekday evenings and Saturdays.
  • Services include:
    • new client intake and screening visits
    • regular/followup visits with clients concerning:
      • new symptom or diagnosis
      • chronic disease management, including diabetes, asthma and heart disease
      • pregnancy/prenatal/postpartum care
      • contraception advice and treatment options
      • mental health assessment/treatment/support
      • substance use and addiction treatment/support
      • medication prescription refills
      • screening, e.g., sexually transmitted infections, well child checks, cervical cancer/PAP smear
      • treatments/procedures, e.g., intrauterine device (IUD) insertion, cerumen (ear wax) removal
      • referrals to medical specialist and social services and help completing forms
      • support with systems navigation (health care and social systems) with a community health worker
      • support with social determinants of health (e.g., finance, housing, education, etc.) with a community health worker
      • outreach to local community partners
      • harm-reduction supplies
  • Patients will be received via referral and through community partners, walk-in, outreach, online or phone.  
  • Nexus Primary Care Clinic will work with the Nanaimo Division of Family Practice and Island Health to support primary care network planning in Nanaimo as it develops.