A brand-new maternity clinic is set to open its doors in Chilliwack come February, with the support of the Fraser Valley Health and Chilliwack Hospital Foundations who have kickstarted a fundraising initiative to rally community backing.
Dr. Alison Henry, a respected family physician in Chilliwack, is optimistic about the clinic’s potential to deliver top-notch care to patients.
Describing the clinic as a comprehensive care model already successful in various communities, Dr. Henry is keen on introducing this approach to Chilliwack, aiming to raise the standard of healthcare in the region.
Another local physician, Dr. Braden Beaumont, views the upcoming clinic as a catalyst for a new chapter in addressing the pressing issue of physician shortage not only in Chilliwack but across the country.
Dr. Beaumont highlights the alarming decline in the number of family doctors in Chilliwack over recent years, attributing it to retirements and career transitions. This trend, exacerbated by slow recruitment and a growing population, underlines the urgent need for improved access to maternity care within the community.
Chilliwack’s healthcare challenges are mirrored elsewhere, as evidenced by Fraser Health’s recent decision to divert planned births from certain hospitals due to a shortage of OB/GYNs during the holiday season.
With a fundraising goal of $300,000, the Fraser Valley Health and Chilliwack Hospital Foundations are calling for immediate donations to ensure the success of the new maternity clinic and address the critical healthcare needs of the community.