The Vancouver Island Health Authority has lost its authority — but in name only.
The institution, which provides services to about 760,000 people on Vancouver Island, the islands of the Strait of Georgia, and on the mainland between Powell River and Rivers Inlet, has changed its name to Island Health.
The new name is said to better reflect the region served.
Legally, it remains the Vancouver Island Health Authority. But printed materials and signs with that name are being phased out.
Spokeswoman Sarah Plank said no money will be spent on the name change and everyone has been instructed to use up materials with the existing name.
Signs will be updated only as part of regular refurbishing and maintenance plans, Plank said in an email.
“To ensure there is no added cost, the transition will be made over time,” Plank said.
“We will be holding a series of public engagement sessions across the region later in the fall as part of our strategic planning process, and we’ll use those meetings as an opportunity to officially introduce Island Health to our communities.”
The change does not represent a full rebranding or significant redesign. The creative work on the new logo was done in-house, Plank said, as part of the regular scope of services in the communications department.
Staff and communities have been suggesting the name change for years, Plank said.
“It made sense to adopt this new name as we embark on our next strategic planning cycle called Island Health 2018.”
Island Health serves
Northern Vancouver Island - Mt. Waddington
- Includes Port Hardy, Port Alice, Port McNeill, Alert Bay, Kingcome, Zeballos and comunities on the adjacent area of the mainland.
Comox Valley - Campbell River
- Includes Courtenay, Comox, Cumberland, Denman and Hornby Islands, Campbell River, Quadra and Cortes Islands, Gold River, Tahsis and Sayward.
Oceanside - Port Alberni - Westcoast
- Includes Parksville, Qualicum Beach, Nanoose, Bowser, Coombs and Errington, Port Alberni, Ucluelet and Tofino
Nanaimo and Area
- Includes Nanaimo, Lantzville, Gabriola Island, and Cedar
Cowichan Valley
- Includes Duncan, North Cowichan, Mill Bay, Chemainus, Lake Cowichan, Ladysmith, and Thetis and Kuper Islands
Greater Victoria - Gulf Islands
- Includes the Saanich Peninsula, Sooke, Port Renfrew, Greater Victoria, and the Southern Gulf Islands
