A medical clinic with team-based care in Sooke is being expanded, with five additional doctors and nurses funded by the province.
B.C. Premier John Horgan announced Friday more than $1 million annually to support two new family doctors, one new nurse practitioner and two new registered nurses at West Coast Family Medical Clinic, “to take up the 4,000 patients that are not attached to a health-care provider today in Sooke.”
The clinic, at 1300-6600 Sooke Rd. in Evergreen Centre, is currently served by nine doctors, one registered nurse, one dietitian and one social worker, in addition to several office assistants. Life Labs Medical Laboratory Services is already in the mall.
The clinic space will expand into adjacent offices, with construction starting after June. It will operate like a hybrid walk-in clinic and doctor’s office, said Horgan, with a combination of appointments and drop-in care.
The new doctors and nurses have not yet been hired, but Health Minister Adrian Dix said that process is underway.
Sooke Mayor Maja Tait said the expansion is a crucial step in addressing the health-care needs in her community, and the funding will reduce or eliminate waitlists for residents who need access to professionals.
The expanded team-based care will also help people in the neighbouring, unincorporated Juan de Fuca area, she said.
As one of the fastest-growing communities in the capital region, she said, Sooke’s needs “have been many and our small town has exceeded the network that we’ve had in place for many years.”
Horgan and Dix said the expansion plan was based on consultation with physicians at the clinic — the consensus was that team-based care was working well but needed additional practitioners.
