Community health in community hands

The Community Health Centre model is an exciting opportunity to allow community input and ownership of what health care delivery looks like on Bowen Island. It’s also a key part of the provincial Ministry of Health’s evolving primary care strategy, particularly within in smaller, rural communities.

Following a key strategy for health care delivery in BC

The Bowen Island Community Health Centre will be operated and governed according to the Community Health Centre (CHC) model, in keeping with the expansion of the CHC model across British Columbia by the BC Ministry of Health as a key part of the province’s renewed primary care strategy.

Bowen is an island, rural community with a unique, active and engaged population.

The CHC model is an exciting opportunity to allow community input and ownership of what health care delivery will look like on Bowen Island.

CHCs are multi-sector not-for-profit or cooperative organizations providing a community population with primary health care, including services to support the social determinants of health. A CHC adheres to the following core attributes:

1. provides team-based interdisciplinary primary care
2. integrates diverse health and social services
3. is community-centered and patient-focused
4. actively addresses the social determinants of health
5. demonstrates a commitment to health equity, cultural safety and humility, and social justice

The development of Bowen’s community health centre is being formed in partnership with the local community, and in consultation with the Ministry of Health, Vancouver Coastal Health and the North Shore Primary Care Network.