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Community InformationThis friendly community is well known for its magnificent scenery. Located on Cormorant Island, off the northeast coast of Vancouver Island, it is approximately 180 miles by water from Vancouver. Alert Bay has been the traditional home of the ‘Namgis’ First Nations people and was once a native burial grounds. It was settled in 1870 when the first small fish saltery was established. It was on the direct route for all vessels travelling north and south in a well-protected harbour and so quickly became a destination for travellers.
The economy of Alert Bay is primarily fishing with tourism also growing in importance. Because of its easy access to the mainland via BC Ferries at Port McNeill, some residents commute on a daily basis.
Alert Bay has a typical west coast climate. There is minimal snow but substantial rainfall during the winter months. The average summer temperature is 17.4 degrees Celsius, while the average winter temperature is -0.1 degrees.
INDUSTRY:
Fishing, tourism Population
Town Population: 489 (2016 Census) Patient Catchment: 11,919 (Local Health Area #85 - Vancouver Is. N, BC Stats 2009) Ages of Population: 0-17: 22.8% 18-24: 10.5% 25-64: 55.7% 65+: 11.1% (BC Stats, 2010 Figures)
Health Administrative Information
Health Authority: Island Health Health Service Delivery Area: North Vancouver Island Regional District: Mount Waddington Rural Designation: RSA community RRP Designation: A RRP Points: 34.20
Practitioners + Clinic information
General Practitioners: 3 (www.cpsbc.ca) Namgis Health Centre Provided by: Namgis First Nation Band Council 48 School Road Alert Bay, BC, V0N 1A0 P: 250 974-5522
2012 socio-economic profile of Vancouver Island – North (Source: BC Government)
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Health Centre Info
Cormorant Island Health Centre Box 223, 49 School Road Alert Bay, BC, V0N 1A0 P: 250 974-5585 | F: 250 974-5583 Community Health Centre; Acute care services with 4 acute care beds Referral Hospital: Nanaimo
Emergency Room
There is a full service Emergency Room in this community. It is open 24/7. CTAS I and II cases are transferred immediately via BC Ferries. Number of Visits Per Year: 3,112 (2009/2010 Statistics: Island Health) Travel Distance to Nearest Hospital: 458 km to Nanaimo
Health Centre CAEP and CTAS
CTAS Level CTAS Level I (Resuscitation) CTAS Level II (Emergent) CTAS Level III (Urgent) CTAS Level IV (Less Urgent) CTAS Level V (Non Urgent)
Lab services
Cormorant Island Health Centre Box 223, 49 School Road Alert Bay, BC, V0N 1A0 P: 250 974-5585 ext. 243 | F: 250 974-5583 Hrs Mon-Fri: 9:00 am - 11:00 am, appointments required.Blood Bank
There is a blood bank in this community.
Imaging services
X-Ray Cormorant Island Health Centre Box 223, 49 School Road Alert Bay, BC, V0N 1A0 P: 250 974-5585 | F: 250 974-5583
CT
There are CT services in this community.
Mammography
Mammography services provided by BC Cancer Agency twice a year. See www.bccancer.bc.ca for details.
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BC Ambulance
BC Ambulance Services provides coverage to this community, including Air Ambulance services.
Pharmacy
Alert Bay Drugs 90 Fir Street Alert Bay, BC, V0N 1A0 P: 250 974-5712
Nurse Practitioner
Namgis Health Centre Box 290, 1 Front Street Alert Bay, BC, V0N 1A0 P: 250 974-5520 | F: 250 974-2736
Extended Care
Cormorant Island Health Centre Box 223, 49 School Road Alert Bay, BC, V0N 1A0 P: 250 974-5585 ext. 243 | F: 250 974-5583
Home Nursing
Cormorant Island Health Centre Box 223, 49 School Road Alert Bay, BC, V0N 1A0 P: 250 974-5585 ext. 243 | F: 250 974-5583 Namgis Health Centre Box 290, 1 Front Street Alert Bay, BC, V0N 1A0 P: 250 974-5522 | F: 250 974-2736
Dietetics
Namgis Health Centre Box 290, 1 Front Street Alert Bay, BC, V0N 1A0 P: 250 974-5522 | F: 250 974-2736
Diabetic Nurse Educator
Namgis Health Centre Box 290, 1 Front Street Alert Bay, BC, V0N 1A0 P: 250 974-5522 | F: 250 974-2736
Physiotherapy
Cormorant Island Health Centre Box 223, 49 School Road Alert Bay, BC, V0N 1A0 P: 250 974-5585 | F: 250 974-5583
Occupational therapy
Cormorant Island Health Centre Box 223, 49 School Road Alert Bay, BC, V0N 1A0 P: 250 974-5585 ext. 243 | F: 250 974-5583
Mental Health and Addictions
Namgis Treatment Centre Box 290, 1 Front Street Alert Bay, BC, V0N 1A0 P: 250 974-5522 | F: 250 974-2257
Social workers
Namgis Health Centre Box 290, 48 School Road Alert Bay, BC, V0N 1A0 P: 250 974-5522 | F: 250 974-2736 K'wak'walat'si Child & Family Services Box 210, 45 Atli Road Alert Bay, BC, V0N 1A0 P: 250 974-5356 | F: 250 974-2634 The Sasamans Society (in-community) 680 Head Start Crescent Campbell River, BC, V9H 1P0 P: 250 914-2212 | TFP: 1 888 597-2189 | F: 250 914-2215
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Practice Site Information
Namgis Health Centre box 49, 1 Front Street Alert Bay, BC, V0N 1A0 P: 250 974-5520 | F: 250-974-5952 Physician Site Coordinator(s): Dr. Susan Booth, Dr. Dan Cutfeet Office Administrator: Terri Christianson On-call Schedule: On call will be arranged once resident arrives. Hours: Office hours are 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Training Site Information
Family Practice Resident Site: Yes
Medical Resident: UBC
Students & Residents Perspectives
On the community
“Whale watching, bear watching in summer, kayaking are some of the activities that can be done in the community”
On the experience
” Independence, making own decisions, location, slow pace in office, plenty of time with patients are the best thing about the site”
Challenges
“Lack of resources, transport of patients.”
Patient Load
Practice per day: 6-12
Resident per day: Residents see 6-12 patients per day
Office Set-up
Residents will have their own exam room and computer.
Does your office have a surgical suite? No
Is there space for the resident to have an office an examination room? Yes
Technology: Electronic Medical Records
Educational Opportunities
CME Teleconferences: No
Computer-based: Yes, there are opportunities for computer-based education.
What other educational opportunities are available to your students and residents (e.g., rounds, CPD)? More informal teaching.
Preceptor Physicians
Dr. Susan Booth Dr. Dan Cutfeet
