In the morning light, Dr. Amina Patel adjusts her stethoscope as she prepares for another busy day at the newly expanded Chilliwack Family Care Clinic. It’s just past seven, but already four patients wait in the reception area, clutching their coffee cups and intake forms.
“We’re seeing about 30% more patients than this time last year,” Dr. Patel tells me during a rare quiet moment between appointments. “The need has always been there, but now we finally have the staff to meet it.”
In a community where finding consistent medical care has become increasingly challenging, the Chilliwack Family Care Clinic on Yale Road has begun accepting new patients this month—a development that feels almost revolutionary for local residents who have spent years on waitlists or relying on emergency services for routine care.
The clinic’s expansion comes as part of British Columbia’s broader healthcare workforce strategy, which aims to address critical staffing shortages across the province. Last quarter, the Ministry of Health reported bringing 578 new healthcare professionals into the system, including 149 physicians and 273 registered nurses.
For Chilliwack resident Diane Morgan, 64, the announcement couldn’t have come at a better time. “I’ve been without a family doctor for three years since my physician retired,” she says, seated in the waiting room. “I’ve been managing my diabetes through walk-in clinics and the occasional trip to emergency when things got bad. Having consistent care again means I might actually be able to get ahead of problems instead of just reacting to them.”
The Chilliwack clinic’s ability to accept new patients stems from several strategic changes, including the addition of two nurse practitioners, a family physician, and expanded roles for medical office assistants. This team-based approach allows the clinic to serve approximately 1,800 additional patients.
Mark Sutherland, the clinic’s administrator, explains that operational adjustments have been equally important. “We’ve implemented evening hours three days a week and added Saturday morning appointments. But the real game-changer has been our patient portal system, which reduces administrative burdens and helps us navigate appointment scheduling more efficiently.”
The Fraser Valley, like many regions across Canada, has struggled with healthcare access for years. According to Statistics Canada, approximately 15.3% of British Columbians reported not having a regular healthcare provider in 2023, slightly higher than the national average. In rapidly growing communities like Chilliwack, where population growth has outpaced healthcare infrastructure, the problem has been especially acute.
Provincial Health Minister Adrian Dix acknowledged these challenges during a recent visit to the Fraser Valley. “We know that access to primary care remains one of our most significant healthcare challenges,” he stated. “Our health human resources strategy isn’t just about recruiting internationally—it’s about training locally, retaining professionals already in our system, and creating workplace environments where healthcare professionals can thrive.”
The changes at Chilliwack Family Care Clinic reflect this multi-faceted approach. Dr. Kristi Thompson, a family physician who joined the clinic last month after completing her residency at UBC, represents one aspect of the solution.
“I considered positions in Alberta and Ontario, but the practice supports offered here made staying in B.C. more attractive,” she explains between patient consultations. “The loan forgiveness program, mentorship opportunities, and team-based care model were significant factors in my decision.”
For nurse practitioner James Wong, who previously worked in acute care, the transition to primary care has been professionally rewarding. “In the emergency department, I rarely saw the outcomes of the care I provided,” he says. “Here, I build relationships with patients and can work with them on preventative care, not just crisis management.”
The clinic has also benefited from structural changes to medical education and licensing in the province. Internationally trained physicians now have more pathways to practice in British Columbia, including the Practice Ready Assessment program, which has brought experienced international medical graduates into communities facing physician shortages.
But as I spend the day observing the clinic’s operations, it becomes clear that challenges remain. The waiting room steadily fills throughout the morning, and by noon, several patients with same-day appointments have been waiting for over an hour.
“We’re getting there, but we’re not claiming this solves everything,” admits Dr. Patel during a hurried lunch break. “We still need more physical space, more allied health professionals like dietitians and counselors, and better integration with hospital services.”
For patients like Robert Clarkson, 72, however, the improvement is tangible. “Last year when my blood pressure medication needed adjustment, I spent eight hours in the emergency room,” he recalls. “Yesterday, I called in the morning and saw Dr. Thompson that afternoon. That’s what healthcare should be.”
The Chilliwack clinic is accepting new patients through a staged intake process, prioritizing those without any current primary care provider, pregnant individuals, those with complex chronic conditions, and families with young children. Interest has been overwhelming, with over 400 applications received in the first week.
The clinic’s expansion represents a small but significant victory in a healthcare system still struggling to meet growing demands. As British Columbia’s population ages and grows, particularly in communities like Chilliwack where housing remains more affordable than in Vancouver, the pressure on healthcare systems will only increase.
Provincial data indicates that the Fraser Valley’s population has increased by nearly 8% since 2019, making it one of the fastest-growing regions in the province. This growth has compounded existing healthcare access challenges.
As the afternoon progresses, I watch Dr. Patel move efficiently between examination rooms, her manner remaining attentive despite the pace. When I ask what keeps her motivated during these long days, she pauses thoughtfully.
“When you can actually provide the care patients need before they reach a crisis point, it’s incredibly rewarding,” she says. “That’s why we do this work. And for the first time in years, it feels like we might be building a system that makes that possible more often than not.”
For Chilliwack residents who have struggled to access consistent healthcare, that possibility offers something that’s been in short supply: hope.
