Community InformationLocated on the eastern shore of Vancouver Island, Chemainus has long been a popular tourist destination, but it is also a great place to live, play and do business.
Entertaining, relaxing and tranquil, Chemainus is a favourite destination for family fun and romantic getaways alike. It is an artistic community that boasts a unique mix of gift shops, antique malls, art galleries, boutiques, specialty shops, cafes and restaurants. And many beautiful murals detailing the history of the town.
The 274 seat Chemainus Theatre, exciting town festivals, local attractions and a wide variety of opportunities for outdoor adventure will make Chemainus your destination of choice when visiting Vancouver Island.
INDUSTRY:
Tourism, Arts and CulturePopulation
Town Population: 4,100 (BC Stats, 2006 Census)
Health Administrative Information
Health Authority: Island Health Health Service Delivery Area: Central Vancouver Island Regional District: Cowichan Valley Rural Designation: RSA community RRP Designation: D RRP Points: 5.00
Practitioners + Clinic information
General Practitioners: 6, + 1 Speciality Practise (www.cpsbc.ca) + 1 Specialist Clinics Chemainus Medical Clinic 9892 Esplanade Chemainus, BC, V0R 1K1 P: 250 246-3261 | F: 250 246-9144 Chemainus Health Care Centre 9909 Esplanade St RR 1 Chemainus, BC V0R 1K1 P: 250 737-2040 Halalt Health Centre 8017B Chemainus Road Chemainus, BC, V0R 1K5 P: 250 246-2127 | F: 250 246-9537 Penelakut Health Clinic 11130 Clam Bay Road Chemainus, BC, V0R 1K6 P: 250 246-9885 | F: 250 246-3426
Health Centre Info
Chemainus Health Care Centre 9909 Esplanade Street Chemainus, BC, V0R 1K1 P: 250 737-2040 ext. 42238 | F: 250 737-2058 Hrs: Mon-Fri 7:45 am - 3:30 pm. Closed weekends and stat holidays http://find.healthlinkbc.ca/search.aspx?d=LC000008 Referral Hospital: Nanaimo
Emergency Room
This community does have a limited service Emergency Room which treats minor traumas. Major traumas are stabilized and transferred to Nanaimo Regional General Hospital.
Hrs: 7:30 am – 10:30 pm / 7 days a week
Number of Visits per Year: 4,781 (2009/2010 Statistics: VIHA)
Travel Distance to the Nearest Hospital: 38 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)
Maternity
Laurie Untereiner RM 10376 Victoria Road Chemainus, BC, V0R 1K2 P: 250 246-4083
Lab services
Chemainus Health Care Centre Lab 9909 Esplanade Street Chemainus, BC, V0R 1K0 P: 250 737-2040 | F: 250 737-2059 Hrs: Mon-Fri 7:45 am - 3:30 pm In-community Penelekut Health Centre Box 1428, Clam Bay Road Chemainus, BC, V0R 1K0 P: 250 246-9885 | F: 250 246-3426Blood Bank
There is a blood bank in this community.
Imaging services
X-Ray Chemainus Health Care Centre Imaging 9909 Esplanade Street Chemainus, BC, V0R 1K0 P: 250 737-2040 | F: 250 737-2059 Hrs: Mon-Fri 7:45 am - 3:30 pm 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 Service provides coverage to this community, including Air Ambulance services
Pharmacy
Chemainus Rexall Drugstore Box 99, 9762 Willow Street Chemainus, BC, V0R 1K0 P: 250 246-3821 | F: 250 246-2579 Rexall Drugs #7114 Unit 1 - 9892 Esplanade Street Chemainus, BC, V0R 1K1 P: 250 246-2151 | F: 250 246-3511
Extended Care
Chemainus Health Care Centre (75 beds) 9909 Esplanade Street Chemainus, BC, V0R 1K0 P: 250 737-2040 | F: 250 737-2058
Home Nursing
We Care Duncan P: 250 746-9224 | F: 250 715-0703
Social workers
Vancouver Island Health Authority 9909 Esplanade Street Chemainus, BC, V0R 1K1 P: 250 246-3291 In-community Anne Morrison 10026 Beach Drive Chemainus, BC, VOR 1K1 P: 250 324-5521
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Mental Health and Addictions Outreach Community Options Society 200 Cowichan Way Duncan, BC, V9L 1V9 P: 250 737-2029 Kw'umt'lelum Child & Family Services 544 Center Street Nanaimo, BC, V9G 1A6 P: 250 591-0933 | F: 250 591-0935 Adult Day Services (Home and Community Care) at The Steeples 9910 Esplanade Street Chemainus, BC V0R 1K1 P: 250 246-1805
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Practice Site Information
Chemainus Medical Clinic Box 300, 9892 Esplanade Chemainus, BC, V0R 1K1 P: 250 246-3261 | F: 250 246-9144 Physician Site Coordinator(s): Dr. Murray Archdekin, Dr. Jim Broere Office Administrator: Marilyn Walker
Training Site Information
Medical Student Training: Yes Medical Student: UBC Family Practice Resident Site: Yes Medical Resident: UBC
Students & Residents Perspectives
On The Community
Very friendly!! Lots going on for a small community. Vibrant. Lots of outdoor activities. Climate is fantastic. “Great small community, very welcoming, people remember you after seeing you in clinic/emergency. Get to see lots of people from other nearby small communities where there is no emergency or if they are on one of the nearby islands. I honestly didn’t get to do much because of my choice to commute on some days but it’s a beautiful area to explore”
On The Experience
Fantastic opportunities to be independent and gain confidence. Docs very friendly and happy to teach. You are given freedom to work ER on your own with the Doc backing you only if you need it. Lots of procedures like lumps and bump removal and all ER procedures. High volume practice with a lot of interesting presentations. Office staff fantastic. Very organized and efficiently run practice.
Challenges
None. “No Obs if you’re interested in it.”
Patient Load
Practice per Day: 25-30
Office Set-up
There are usually two separate rooms for the resident to see patients. Technology: Electronic Medical Records
Educational Opportunities
Hospital Rounds:
Yes. You will see patients in Duncan hospital for rounds in the morning, but usually only 1-2 patients and quite quick
