The Northern Rockies Regional Municipality (NRRM) is developing a business case to explore a sustainable, community-driven Health Partnership Clinic for the Northern Rockies.
Background
Following physician departures and ongoing challenges in rural healthcare delivery, Council established the Primary Care Stabilization Committee to examine options for the future of local primary care, including governance, partnerships and service delivery.
Recruitment and retention challenges, physician workload pressures and the costs of operating a clinic have highlighted the need to explore alternatives to the existing model.
Although primary care is not a municipal responsibility, the NRRM has a long history of working to support local health services. This project is an opportunity to work with healthcare providers, health authorities, Indigenous partners and the community to examine a sustainable approach for the future.
What is being considered?
The Committee's recommended direction is a Northern Rockies Health Partnership Clinic — a municipally owned clinic operating through a collaborative partnership model. The proposed approach is intended to combine local leadership with shared responsibility among healthcare and community partners.
- Team-based primary care: Explore a supportive practice environment where healthcare providers can work together to improve access and continuity of care.
- Collaborative partnerships: Examine how the NRRM, Northern Health, the Ministry of Health and community partners could work together, with clear roles and responsibilities.
- Governance and operations: Assess options for oversight, clinic management and accountability, including consideration of a Commission of Council.
- Primary care and critical care coordination: Explore how clinic services could be better coordinated with local hospital and emergency services, recognizing the unique needs of a rural and remote community.
These are areas being explored through the business case, not finalized service commitments.
What's our Goal?
The recommended model is intended to improve the long-term stability of primary care by creating a more supportive environment for healthcare providers and strengthening coordination among partners.
The Committee identified several anticipated benefits:
More stable access to care: reduce vulnerability to sudden staffing changes and service disruptions.
Recruitment and retention support: explore practice arrangements that reduce administrative pressures and better support physicians.
Improved coordination: strengthen connections between primary care, hospital services and other healthcare providers.
Local input: incorporate community perspectives into planning and governance.
What is happening now?
- Inter-Agency Collaboration & Best Practices: Engaging with partner organizations, including
Northern Health and the Ministry of Health, while reviewing proven municipal primary care
models from other British Columbia communities such as Colwood. - Physician Alignment & Clinical Support: Working alongside local physicians and medical
leadership to explore sustainable compensation models, administrative efficiencies, and
practice oversight structures. - Operational & Facility Due Diligence: Evaluating facility options, service planning, and
governance models (such as municipal commission or subsidiary structures) to ensure
compliance with provincial primary care network frameworks. - Community & Partner Engagement: Preparing for broad public engagement and outreach to
regional and Indigenous partners, to ensure local healthcare needs and perspectives guide the process.
Community Engagement
Further details on community engagement opportunities and project milestones will be announced as the business case progresses.