Improved access to First Nations-led primary care on the way to communities province-wide

Sept. 3, 2024

Unceded territories of the Songhees, Esquimalt and WSÁNEĆ Nations | VICTORIA – The Province of British Columbia and First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) are moving ahead with 13 First Nations primary care centres (FNPCCs) as a key step toward increasing access to culturally safe, primary health care in B.C.​​

“Dismantling and eradicating Indigenous-specific racism from B.C.’s health-care system continues to be a key priority for our government,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health. “Part of this work is expanding access to First Nations-led, cultu​​​rally safe health care and work in partnership with the local First Nations and FNHA. The new FNPCCs will help deliver high-quality, patient-centered primary care for communities around B.C., bringing the care and services​ people need closer to their homes, and are another important step forward in our journey toward Reconciliation.”

Once all the clinics are in operation, there will be three clinics in each of the five regional health authorities for a total of 15 FNPCCs in B.C.

Of the 13 new centres, 10 will be welcoming patients by fall of 2024, including the Kwakwaka’waka First Nations Primary Care Centre, Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations Primary Care Centre, Coast Salish First Nations Primary Care Centre, Gitxsan-Wet’suwet’en Primary Health Care Centre on Gitxsan Territory, Dadzi Wellness Centre on the Dak’elh First Nations Territory, northern St’át’imc Primary Care Center, Nlaka’pamux Nation First Nations Primary Care Centre in Merritt, Nuxálk Primary Care Centre, es zúmin’ Primary Care Centre and the MîÝoMâCihêwi Kamik Northern Nations Wellness Centre on Treaty 8 Territory.

Other centres in development are the Éyameth First Nations Primary Care Centre on Sts’ailes Territory as well as the Fraser West and Fraser South mobile medical units.

“The First Nations Health Authority values its partnerships with the Ministry of Health and First Nations Communities to increase access to culturally safe, team-based care province-wide,” said Dr. Terri Aldred, FNHA Medical Director for Primary Care. “We recognize more work needs to be done to achieve our vision of healthy, self-determining and vibrant First Nations children, families and communities in B.C., and we invite all health-system partners and municipalities in B.C. to support our shared journey towards a safe and sustainable health-care system.”

These centres will combine primary health care, social services and Indigenous health supports into teams that will provide culturally safe, person-first health-care services across the province. Service delivery in each centre will be unique and tailored to the needs of the communities it serves and will be operated in partnership with the local First Nations, FNHA and the Ministry of Health.

Recruitment for clinical and traditional roles is currently active in all regions of the province. Centres offering services in phases will offer limited services to begin with and provide more as positions are filled.

This expansion of First Nations-led primary care aligns with the Ministry of Health’s commitment to the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act to deliver services that are First Nations-led as well as informed by traditional wellness values and by the lived experiences of Indigenous Peoples.

Establishing these centres is part of the Province and FNHA’s First Nations-led Primary Health Care Initiative, which is intended to improve and increase access to culturally safe health services province-wide. This announcement builds on the 2019 opening of the Lu’ma Medical Centre in Vancouver, the 2022 opening of the All Nations Healing House in Williams Lake and the ground-breaking ceremony at Éyameth, formerly the Sts’ailes Community Care Campus, in Harrison Mills.

Learn More:

To learn more about recruitment, interested applicants can find positions listed here: https://workwithus.fnha.ca/​

To learn more about the First Nations Primary Care Initiative: First Nations-led Primary Health Care Initiative – YouTube

To learn about Lu’ma Medical Centre, B.C.’s first FNPCC, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2019HLTH0129-001783

To read more about the All Nations Healing House in Williams Lake, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2022HLTH0217-001657

To see and learn more abo​ut the All Nations Healing House, visit: https://youtu.​be/ZDTHmbeMFbE

To learn more about Éyameth, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2023HLTH0025-000345

To learn about actions underway for the 24 recommendations from In Plain Sight, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2021HLTH0075-002294

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

Two backgrounders follow.

• What people are saying about the expansion of First Nations-led primary care in B.C.

  Lisa Montgomery-Reid, vice-president, regional operations, Interior Region –

  “The vision for the Interior Region is to establish primary health care and wellness practices grounded in the culture, language and traditions of our Nations. It is the Nation’s vision and direction that guide every aspect of this work. This is the standard of care our People deserve—safe spaces for the People and by the People.”

  Julie Morrison, vice-president, regional operations, North Region –

  “This initiative gives us the opportunity to embed culture, Ceremony and traditional practices into the delivery of primary care services, as well as address disparities that exist within B.C.’s health-care system. By making delivery of health services community-driven and Nation-based, we are creating a safe and respectful environment for People to seek the timely care they need here in the North and in all regions of B.C.”

  Kim Brooks, vice-president, regional operations, Vancouver Coastal Region –

  “Improving access to culturally safe primary care services has been a long-held vision and goal of First Nations in the Vancouver Coastal Region. We are honoured to work in partnership with First Nations who have tirelessly led the planning, design and implementation of these new services, ensuring that their cultural practices and ways of being are the foundation of wholistic health care in community.”

  Naomi Williams, vice-president, regional operations, Fraser Salish Region –

  “Grounded in letse’mot, with ‘everyone working together’ our Primary Health Care vision is to ensure everyone living in Fraser Salish Region has access to a person-centered experience of care that is wholistic, integrated, coordinated, accessible, and where diversity, spirit, tradition, community and culture are respected. Éyameth has set a solid foundation for ensuring culture and tradition guides transformation of primary health care in the region and we look forward to how it will inform the 13 new facilities coming to communities throughout the province.”

  Brennan MacDonald, vice-president, regional operations, Vancouver Island Region –

  “Together with the Coast Salish, Kwakwaka’wakw and the Nuu-chah-nulth Nations, we have developed primary care services focusing on quality care that respects the cultural values, beliefs and practices of our Island Nations. This new network of care is First Nations-led, focuses on wellness and is accessible close to home for First Nations Peoples across Vancouver Island. As we move forward, we remain committed to working in partnership with each Nation to address the health service improvements that are needed for our communities.”​

• More information about the new First Nations primary care centres

  First Nations Primary Care Centres (FNPCC) will be welcoming patients in the fall of 2024:​

  Vancouver Coastal Region
  es zúmin’ Primary Care Centre

  • • The es zúmin’ Primary Care Centre is FNHA interim operated and will deliver services to local First Nations through a hub and spoke model out of the Pq’usnalcw Health Centre and Southern Stl’atl’imx Health Society.
    • There will also be virtual and mobile clinics for N’Quatqua, Samahquam, Skatin and Xa’xtsa (Douglas).
    • es zúmin’ Primary Care Centre will offer culturally safe, primary care that is wrapped with traditional approaches to health and wellness.

  Nuxálk Primary Care Centre

  • • Nuxálk Primary Care Centre is society/Nation-led and will deliver services to both First Nations and non-First Nations patients living in the Nuxálk and Ulkatcho First Nation communities at the Nuxálk Health & Wellness Centre with a mobile clinic in Ulkatcho Nation.
    • Nuxálk will provide expanded and diversified mental health services, primary care including maternal health, chronic disease management and traditional food services.

  Interior Region
  northern St’át’imc Primary Care Center

  • • • The northern St’át’imc Primary Care Centre is FNHA interim operated and will deliver services to First Nations people and their families in St’át’imc territory.
      • The centre will have Elders on-site and the care provided will be consistent and rooted in traditional wellness practices.
      • With wraparound mental health support, integrated health and social services, patients will also be assisted with navigation and referrals to labs, diagnostics and higher levels of care.

  ​Nlaka’pamux Nation First Nations Primary Care Centre

  • • • The Nlaka’pamux Nation First Nations Primary Care Centre is society/Nation-led and will deliver services out of the Coquihalla Primary Care Centre to First Nations people and their families living near Merritt, Lytton and the Fraser Canyon corridor.​
      • Operated by the Nlaka’pamux Health Services Society, improved primary health care will be provided by a multi-disciplinary team through a shared services approach that builds capacity within the Nation and its communities.
      • This work will honour and integrate the culture, traditions and aspirations of the Nlaka’pamux people.

  Northern Reg​ion
  Gitxsan-Wet’suwet’en Primary Health Care Centre

  • • • The Gitxsan and Wet’suwet’en Primary Health Care Centre is FNHA interim operated and will prioritize service delivery to Gitxsan and Wet’suwet’en First Nations and their family members in addition to First Nations and Indigenous people residing on the territories.
      • The Centre, located in Hazelton, will include physicians, nurse practitioners and allied health professionals, and a mental health and traditional wellness team that will provide culturally led, trauma informed, wraparound care.
      1. 1. Allied health professionals provide a range of preventative, diagnostic, technical and therapeutic health-care and clinical support services. They include, but are not limited to, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, social workers, dietitians, dental hygienists, etc.
    • • There will also be a mobile clinic with coordinated outreach to Gitwangak and Anspayaxw.

  MîÝoMâCihêwi Kamik North​ern Nations Wellness Centre

  • • • The MîÝoMâCihêwi Kamik Northern Nations Wellness Centre is society/Nation-led and will prioritize service delivery to First Nations in addition to offering services to Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.
      • Based in Chetwynd, MîÝoMâCihêwi Kamik will complement available health services by providing access to culturally safe care.
      • Services will integrate FNHA virtual offerings, (like First Nations Virtual Doctor of the Day and psychiatry programs). Initial services will be available on August 19, 2024, at the Saulteau Health Centre (Chetwynd) with full services available following the completion of the MîÝoMâCihêwi Kamik centre in late fall (2024).

  Dadzi Wellness Centre

  • • • Dadzi Wellness Centre is society/Nation-led and will prioritize service delivery to First Nations, including those from Nak’azdli Whut’en, Binche Whut’en and Tl’azt’en Nation.
      • Run by the Dak’elh First Nations Primary Care Society, initial services will begin with outreach and adjust to clinic-based services when centre construction is complete (Winter 2024/2025).
      • The Dadzi Wellness Centre will provide primary care, mental health and traditional wellness services that offer a unique care model that incorporates Indigenous healing and culture.

  Vancouver Island Region
  Coast Salish First Nations Primary Care Centre

  • The Coast Salish First Nations Primary Care Centre is FNHA interim operated and will deliver services in 19 Coast Salish Nations and out of hubs in Snuneymuxw First Nation, Esquimalt Nation, Tseycum First Nation, Tsartlip First Nation and the Cowichan Tribes.
  • All sites selected have First Nations-led health centres or clinics already established, this project will ensure capacity can be built up.
  • In-community services will be provided to community members only but First Nations and their families will be able to access care at respective hubs if they live in the area.

  Kwakwaka’waka First Nations Primary Care Centre

  • • The Kwakwaka’waka First Nations Primary Care Centre is society/Nation-led and will provide services on northern Vancouver Island to Indigenous people and their families. Service delivery will be provided three ways:
  • In-community via air/water travel to ‘Namgis (Alert Bay), Kwikwasut’inuxw Haxwa’mis (Gilford Island) and Dzawada’enuxw (Kingcome Inlet).
  • In-community via ground travel to Kwakiutl, G​wa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw and Quatsino First Nations.
  • In urban areas (at North Island Building Blocks and Sacred Wolf Friendship Centre in Port Hardy) to everyone including members of the Gwawaenuk, Tlatlasikwala, Mamalilikulla, and Da’naxda’xw Nations.

  Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations Primary Care Centre

  • The Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations Primary Care Centre is society/Nation-led and will deliver services in Yuutu?it?ath First Nation, Ahousaht First Nation, Hesquiaht First Nation, Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation and Toquaht First Nation.
  • This modified hub-and-spoke model will see each nation have its own primary care site (two in Tla-o-qui-aht) with one centralized hub. Services will initially only be provided to community members.
  • The scheduling and coordination of teams of physicians and allied health professionals into community sites will be overseen by the central hub.

  First Nations Primary Care Centres (FNPCC) in development:

  Fraser Salish Region
  Fraser West First Nations Primary Care Centre

  • The Fraser West First Nations Primary Care Centre is FNHA interim operated and will deliver services to members of Katzie, Kwikwetlem, Semiahmoo and Tsawwassen First Nations and First Nations living in Burnaby, New Westminster and the Tri-Cities. A hub site is still being looked for.
  • Fraser West will offer a team-based model of primary care, mental health, wellness and chronic disease management that meets people where they are.
  • A core team will operate at community spoke sites with knowledge keepers and a traditional food advisor also available when needed.

  Fraser South First Nations Primary Care Centre

  • The Fraser South First Nations Primary Care Centre is FNHA interim operated and will deliver services to First Nations communities and people in Langley, Abbotsford, Hope and the Fraser Canyon. A hub site is still being looked for in Abbotsford.
  • Fraser South will prioritize locally available primary care services and allied health professionals that address the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual through service delivery at spoke sites.
  • A mobile unit will deliver primary care services to First Nations living in Hope and the Fraser Canyon.

  Éyameth First Nations Primary Care Centre

  • The Éyameth First Nations Primary Care Centre is society/Nation-led and will deliver services on Sts’ailes territory to Sts’ailes, Scowlitz and Leqamel people. It will also welcome Indigenous and non-Indigenous people living around the centre. The building is scheduled to be completed Spring 2025.
  • Éyameth will provide a blend of primary care with wholistic, culturally appropriate health and wellness services plus clinical support services, a pharmacy and level 1 lab.
  • Education and programming will be developed on the topic of integrating traditional healing, wellness and medicine use in contemporary medical service delivery.​

  Already established First Nations Primary Care Centres:

  Vancouver Coastal Region
  Lu’ma Medical Centre

  • Lu’ma Medical Centre provides culturally safe primary health care in East Vancouver.
  • The centre has been in operation for 8 years and is staffed with Indigenous and ally physicians, traditional healers, elders, mental health counsellors, social workers and nurse practitioners that create holistic, culturally integrated service delivery.

  Interior Region
  All Nations Healing House

  • The All Nations Healing House has been serving First Nation people and their families in the Williams Lake area, including the Secwépemc, Tŝilhqot’in and Dãkelh Dené Nations, for two years.
  • Staffed with Elders, traditional healers and other Indigenous care providers who collaborate with medical providers to offer holistic health and wellness services that incorporate Indigenous ways of knowing and being.
  • Services include primary care by physicians, nurse practitioners and nurses and traditional wellness, mental health and wellness navigation.​​

​​Media Contacts:
First Nations Health Authority
Media Relations
604 329-9544
media@fnha.ca

Ministry of Health
Media Relations
250 952-1887

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