Salt Spring Island’s Primary Care Network (PCN) gave islanders an early Christmas gift in the form of some positive news shared in a community update last week.
“Thanks to strong collaboration between the Salt Spring Island PCN, local clinics, physicians and community partners, progress has been steady and impactful,” the PCN stated in a report issued through its program lead Sarah Bulmer on Dec. 19.
In terms of physician recruitment, in addition to physician Alexis Carr, who took over the patient panel of retiring doctor Paula Ryan earlier this year, another physician recently joined the community and is actively attaching patients from the Health Connect Registry.
“Just in this last year, over 600 patients have been successfully attached to primary care providers on Salt Spring Island,” said Bulmer. “The Health Connect Registry has been central to these efforts. All clinics and physicians currently accepting new patients are doing so through the registry, ensuring a fair and organized process.”
Another physician is scheduled to arrive in September 2026, Bulmer said.
“Several other physicians have expressed interest in practising on Salt Spring Island,” she added, “signalling a bright future for recruitment.”
Bulmer reported at a public meeting earlier this year that the provincial Ministry of Health estimated 3,460 individuals living on Salt Spring did not have a family physician.
“Interest in Salt Spring Island from primary care providers continues to grow, thanks to the efforts of citizens, grassroots organizations, all levels of government and shifting geopolitical factors,” said Dr. Christopher Applewhaite, a local physician and chair of the Island Community Clinic Society (ICCS).
The society is actively working to expand available clinic space on the current Salt Spring Island Health Centre property on Kings Lane and implement an improved model of care that integrates allied health professionals such as social workers and mental health and substance use consultants.
Ultimately, the PCN’s goal is to ensure every Salt Spring resident has access to a primary care provider, or family physician. The group continues to stress the importance of registering with the Health Connect Registry in order to be on the list to get a local physician when one becomes available.
More information about the health clinic expansion project, including how to donate, is available at islandcommunityclinicsociety.com. People can learn more about the South Island Division of Family Practice and PCN at southislanddivision.ca.