HISTORY OF THE PENDERISLANDS HEALTH CARE CENTRE
Up until the late 1960’s, volunteer nurses provided the only medical coverage on PenderIsland. In 1969, Dr. Rogers moved to PenderIsland and set up a medical practice out of his home ably assisted by his wife Jean. By 1977, Dr Rogers was preparing to retire and it was clear that a community owned medical clinic was needed to attract another physician. Bishop Coleman, in anticipation of this event, established a fund to build a medical clinic on PenderIsland, and the Lions Club took on this project and approached the provincial government funding to assist. In 1979 they received an $85,000 grant from the Provincial Lotteries Fund to build and furnish a new medical clinic. A condition of the grant was that a site would be provided without cost to the government. During this time the Lions Club also established an Ambulance Committee and established a volunteer Ambulance Service on the Penders.
The Lions club formed the Pender Islands Health Care Society to take responsibility for building the clinic and later to operate and manage the facility. In 1979, Dr Sutherland took over Dr. Rogers practice on condition a new medical clinic would soon be built. In 1980, the Marler family donated a two acre site for the new centre. Construction began in 1980 with considerable community support including volunteer labour, donation of equipment, and more than $60,000 in donations.
The Health Care Centre was officially opened on May 30, 1981. It included two doctor’s offices and two examining rooms, an emergency treatment room for Dr. Sutherland, a waiting room, a pharmacy, and offices for a physiotherapist (Bev O’Sullivan), an optometrist (Bert Jervis), a dentist (Kary Taylor), and an office shared by Home Support and Public Health. Tenants were charged a nominal rent to help offset operating costs to run and maintain the Health Centre.
In 1983, the constitution of the Pender Islands Health Care Society (PIHCS) was revised to give sponsored members of other community organizations full membership. Until that time they were associate members without voting rights. 32 different organizations chose one representative each, the Lions Club had an extra 9 members, and all tenants were included. The members then chose an executive of 8.
An auxiliary to the Health Care Society was established which has evolved into the Pender Islands Community Services Society. It established the Nu-to-Yu store with the proceeds going towards equipment or services to better the health of the community.
In 1993, the South Wing Addition was added to house the growing home care program on PenderIsland.Home Care, Public Health, the Optometrist, and a new Loan Cupboard moved into the new addition, and two physio offices were established in the original facility. The Board took over full responsibility for the home care program. A second doctor Dr. Gerry Moore joined the clinic joining Dr. Don Williams who had taken over from Dr. Ellen Anderson who had taken over from Dr. Sutherland.
In 1994, the Board constitution was revised once again, to include 15 directors elected at large with an expanded mandate to deliver health and social programs to serve the community. The operations of the health centre were becoming too demanding for the volunteer board and a part time executive director (Robert Dill) was hired. Rents were revised, and administrative procedures updated. A major needs survey of the community was undertaken. Between 1994 and 1996, grants were received to establish the Crisis Worker Program (Rob Willingham), and the Closer To Home Program including the Community Nurses, Lab Assistant, In Home Physio Program, and Mental Health Support. Home Support Services grew to serve the OuterGulfIslands.
In 1999 the physicians were given a guaranteed work contract with the former Capital Health Region, now the Vancouver Islands Health Authority (VIHA), and Home Support services were amalgamated into a larger regional home care organization, vacating premises on Pender. These premises were rapidly filled by new tenants and programs.
Between 1998 and 2007, the PIHCS initiated the volunteer program to help provide support for the loss of home support services, brought in alternative healing programs which over the years have included massage therapy, chiropractor, naturopath, acupuncture, jin shin do, reiki, and shiatsu. The existing facility was extensively renovated to maximize use for the various practitioners.
By 2005, thefacility was bursting at its seams and it was clear that a new addition was required to handle the growing population of the Penders. A third medical practitioner was required but there was no space for a third practitioner to work out of. A building committee was established which oversaw the establishment of a functional program, schematic drawings, selection of an architect and detailed drawings for a 3400 square foot addition. A public relations committee was established to fund raise for the addition, and a building fund established for dedicated donations. Thanks to the generosity of the Pender community, and grant support from the CRD and Vancouver Health Authority, construction began in July of 2007, and was completed in the fall of 2008. The $1,400,000 expansion and upgrading of the existing facility now provides a modern facility to serve the community for the next decade. A new medical wing has been provided with room for three practitioners, with five exam rooms and a modern emergency treatment room capable of handling two emergencies simultaneously. Additional waiting, reception, meeting room space has been provided, as well as additional office space for additional health and social services.
In the fall of 2008 an official ceremony opening the health centre was announced and in early 2009 a nurse practitioner has been hired through VIHA to provide a much needed medical third practitioner.