The establishment of a new pediatric clinic in Fort St. John marks a significant milestone in the community's health care landscape. Operating alongside the Fort St. John Primary Care Clinic, the pediatric clinic came together quickly to fill a critical gap in pediatric care following the departure of the community's only private pediatrician.
"When the private pediatrician left in September 2024, there was an urgent need for a dedicated space to continue providing pediatric care to residents of Fort St. John and the surrounding area. We launched the new clinic in November, and it has been a crucial addition to our services in the community," said Chantelle Wilson, Executive Lead for Child and Youth Health Programs.
The FSJ Pediatric Clinic operates with the support of visiting locum pediatricians, who initially see patients in person and conduct follow-up appointments virtually by telephone. This hybrid model ensures continuity of care, which is vital for patient support and coordinating any lab work or testing required after the initial visit.
"The visiting locum pediatricians schedule clinic days based on their availability, typically offering services two or more days a month," said Brie Cormier, Clinic Coordinator.
Patients are accepted by referral only and can be referred to the clinic by another care provider, such as a family doctor, nurse practitioner, or the walk-in clinic. All referrals are triaged based on urgency, and the current waitlist is relatively short, with patients usually being seen within a couple of months.
The clinic's impact on the local community is notable. It has eliminated the need for families to travel long distances for initial medical appointments that typically last only 30 minutes. The nearest alternatives for pediatric care are in Grande Prairie AB, or Prince George BC. The clinic also has full-time administrative support, providing an ongoing point of contact for patients once they’re referred.
"Parents are grateful for the opportunity to see a pediatrician locally. The feedback has been positive, with families feeling heard and well cared for," Cormier said.
Cormier coordinates the clinic now and was integral in helping to get it up and running in record time.
“She stepped up in all the ways to get this pediatric clinic off the ground in a very short period. She always came with the mindset of ‘how do we help?’ She’s an outstanding team player and someone who deeply cares about the health care in their community,” said Wilson.
Despite the success of its launch, challenges remain, particularly the lack of full-time pediatrician coverage. However, the clinic's team is dedicated to overcoming these hurdles and growing the pool of locum support.
"So far, we have three pediatricians who have committed to ongoing support as their schedules allow,” said Cormier.
The new pediatric clinic stands as a testament to Northern Health’s commitment to improving health care access for its youngest residents. Resources were mobilized to make it happen in a remarkably short time, and going forward the clinic will continue to grow and adapt to the needs of the pediatric residents of the Northeast.
Residents who are looking for a primary care provider are encouraged to register for a family doctor or nurse practitioner on BC’s Health Connect Registry. The Fort St. John Primary Care Clinic also houses a Nurse Practitioner clinic, and they use the registry when they have space to take on new patients.
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