Residents in the Campbell River and Port Alberni areas are seeing expanded access to Indigenous-led primary care through two community health centres.

The Laichwiltach Indigenous Community Health Centre in Campbell River is marking one year of operation, while a new Indigenous community health centre in Port Alberni is now under construction.

“Indigenous people living in rural areas need access to culturally safe health care that reflects Indigenous perspectives, histories and lived experiences without having to travel long distances,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health.

“These centres offer primary care tailored to the community’s needs and better access to a family physician, registered nurses and other health-care providers in a trauma-informed, culturally appropriate environment.”

Together, the centres are expected to connect more than 5,700 patients with a primary-care provider and accommodate roughly 60 thousand patient visits each year.

The Campbell River clinic, operated by the Laichwiltach Family Life Society, has already supported thousands of patient visits since opening.

The centre blends traditional healing with western medicine and offers team-based care including family physicians, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, social workers, and community health workers.

Services also include Elder and Traditional Healer supports, along with help navigating the health-care system.

The clinic currently operates weekdays, with plans to extend hours based on demand.

Meanwhile, construction is underway on the Port Alberni Indigenous community health centre, which will be governed and operated by the Port Alberni Friendship Centre.

The facility is expected to open in early 2027.

The province says the centres are part of its primary-care strategy aimed at improving access to team-based, patient-focused care, while supporting services that are Indigenous-led and culturally appropriate.

Patients will be connected to care through the provincial Health Connect Registry, which helps match people with available primary-care providers.

To learn more, visit Government of British Columbia.