Victoria Native Friendship Centre (VNFC) has opened a new clinic to serve the urban Indigenous population in Greater Victoria.

For nearly two decades, VNFC has provided health services to Victoria’s Indigenous population at a small clinic space at the centre, originally operated by Cool Aid. When the on-site clinic opened, it was a major improvement to previous clinic operations—prior to the clinic's opening, a doctor would see patients in an old supply closet in VNFC’s former building—but it was no longer able to meet the demand, with limited space and many Indigenous members in need of medical care services.

With the new clinic—operated solely by VNFC and located in the Gorge-Tillicum area—the centre can now provide health-care services to thousands of Indigenous patients. 

Ron Rice, executive director of VNFC told Capital Daily the idea of the new clinic began after VNFC requested a service expansion from Island Health, hoping to bring on extra doctors or nurse practitioners. As they discussed their reach and breadth of services over the years, it became clear an upgrade was needed.

VNFC received funding from Island Health to add two doctors, three nurse practitioners, three medical office administrators, and six Indigenous wellness practitioners. There’s also a plan to bring on some RNs over the summer.

It’s no secret that finding a family doctor on the Island is a challenge—an issue further complicated for Indigenous people seeking culturally appropriate medical care. 

“There’s been lots of different challenges brought forward [by VNFC users],” said Rice. “A lot of people coming and saying “My doctor retired 20 years ago and I've just been going to clinics,” and others coming into new diagnoses that they might have discovered through a walk-in clinic, but now they need ongoing care.”

The clinic opened in March and can serve 4,500 Indigenous community members. According to Rice, they’re already close to reaching that capacity.

Patients aren’t assigned to individual doctors. Instead, they’re registered with the clinic and can schedule appointments—an improvement for many who rely on walk-in clinics. Patients can see a family doctor, nurse practitioner, or RN depending on their concerns.

“It sort of explains the demand in the region, you know, to be able to add 2,500 patients in just a couple of months is a feat in and of itself,” said Rice. “It speaks to the need. And we're certainly hoping for more solutions like this to pop up around the region for Indigenous people.”

The new clinic joins other Indigenous health services, such as Tsartlip Nation’s Health Centre and Esquimalt Nation’s community nurse. VNFC said it will continue to offer some services on-site at the centre, including acupuncture, naturopathic medicine, addiction care, and counselling.