First Nations Wellness Centre open in Williams Lake

Indigenous people living in and around Williams Lake now have access to culturally safe primary care with the opening of a new First Nation Wellness Centre (FNWC).

In a news release issued on Friday, the province says the centre opened in mid October at 281 1st Avenue North in Williams Lake.

The centre is part of the Central Interior Rural Primary Care Network. Several more centres are currently being planned throughout the province.

“This is the second of 15 First-Nations-led wellness centres in BC and the first in a rural and remote context supported by the Ministry of Health and the First Nations Health Authority,” said Richard Jock, CEO, First Nations Health Authority (FNHA).

People in Williams Lake Receive Improved Access to First Nations-Led Primary Care: https://t.co/Kbvu8tHeih #BCHC pic.twitter.com/NK42fSXkPt

— FNHA (@fnha) November 4, 2022

According to the news release, the FNWC is a model of First Nations primary health-care service delivery. It combines primary health care, social services and Indigenous health supports.

Eventually, the centre will have 16 full-time clinical staff on site. This will include primary care providers, traditional wellness healers and allied health practitioners and 19 full-time general staff members including administration, leadership and other services.

The centre will be operated by FNHA in collaboration with the Dakelh Dene, Tŝilhqot'in and Secwepemc Nations.

“The First Nations Wellness Centre in Williams Lake marks an important step forward in creating lasting equity in our health-care system and reconciliation in our province,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health.

FNHA will continue working with its partners such as Interior Health, First Nations in the area and the Ministry of Health to provide care for Indigenous people living in the area.