WI partnering with GHCS to locate new clinic on WI Hall land
Derek Kilbourn
derek@soundernews.com
Monday, November 9 2009
“The Gabriola Women’s Institute and the Gabriola Health Care Society (GHCS) are pleased to announce our decision to pursue the opportunity of co-location on the Women’s Institute (WI) site at the corner of North Road and South Road.”
That was Robbie Nichols, past president of the WI, at the “Night of Announcements”, the annual doctor’s appreciation dinner hosted by the GHCS last Wednesday night.
Brenda Fowler, president of GHCS, said, “It is not very often that you’re lucky enough to be where history is being made. We in this room are very lucky indeed. We are witness tonight to community innovation, collaboration and the creation of new opportunities. Tonight these three things are true for the Gabriola Health Care Society, they are also true for the Women’s Institute.
“Emergency medical care is a reality, but it is still in its infancy, and it is still fragile. The focus of the GHCS is to put the pieces together that will make the emergency medical centre and family clinic sustainable. That is why we have communications, administration and data and services committees. That is why we are focused on building a permanent community owned clinic with emergency care facilities.”
The target budget goal for the construction of the new clinic and emergency clinic is $1 million.
To raise the money, 2010 has been designated as the “Year of the Clinic”, with the slogan, “I like CASH (Community Actively Supporting Health care).
Robbie added, “Our two organizations have as their mission and mandate to serve the families and residents of Gabriola. The health and welfare of Gabriola’s women, children and families has been the focus of the Women’s Institute for 60 years. Many organizations use the current WI Hall located in one of the original island schoolhouses, and would continue to do so.”
The two organizations intend to spend the next few months confirming the viability of locating the permanent Gabriola Emergency Medical and Family Clinic on the WI site, looking at due diligence work in the areas of site suitability, land-use regulations, and organizational agreements.
We are witness tonight to community innovation, collaboration and the creation of new opportunities. Tonight these three things are true for the Gabriola Health Care Society, they are also true for the Women’s Institute.
~ Brenda Fowler,
GHCS President
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As to raising the $1 million dollars, the Gabriola Health Care Society and Foundation are off to a good start, thanks to donations presented at the dinner.
Mike Phillips, president of the Gabriola Lions Club, said, “The Lions have taken a fascination in the clinic’s existing and emergency room. We hope to never see inside them, but you might just see a sign that says equipment from the Lions club.
“With your help, the club has already donated $40,000 to the cause over the last couple years, and tonight with some of the proceeds of the World Cup of Golf, and compliments of the BC Gaming Commission, we would like to donate another $10,000 to the foundation.
“One more thing, next year, on August 5th, will be the 14th Concert on the Green. See you there.”
Tawny Capon, president of the Gabriola Ambulance Society (GAS) presented two cheques on behalf of the society.
One cheque, for the emergency room of the clinic, was for $5,000, to be spent on anything that the emergency room needs at this point.
She also presented a cheque for $20,000 to the GHCS saying, “Thank you from all of us.”
Tawny added she will be stepping down as president of the GAS on November 17th at the organization’s AGM.
Tracie Der, co-owner of the Medicine Centre in the Village presented $1,000 to go towards wellness programs, raised through wellness programs at the Centre. Tracie and William Der match dollar for dollar any monies donated through their wellness programs.
Judith Graham announced at the dinner that she has decided that once arrangements have been made for the sale of her 1972 Citroën Deux Chevaux (2CV), the proceeds will be donated to the Gabriola Health Care Foundation.
Nancy Nevison, emcee for the evening, found out recently a painting she owns was done by the late 19th century Irish painter JW Carey. It was valued at Irish auction houses at £2,000. She put it up for sale at the dinner, and by the end of the night it had sold for $2,000CDN.
Brenda Fowler, president of GHCS, said, “We’ve looked at several sites, and the one that has been selected is the WI site.”
She explained the old school building will stay on the site, open to community uses as it has been in the past.
“We’ll run health and wellness programs out of that facility. We will build the new clinic and the emergency clinic in behind the WI building.
“The next few days will be spent on our organizational agreement, making sure all the ducks are in a row for putting the right hardware in there. Also looking at the land use regulations. During that time the architect will have a chance to position the building. We hope the buildings will be joined by a serenity garden, because we think that’s important, that people have a quiet space, perhaps part of the waiting room.
“The doctors are happy with the location. No matter where they are coming from they can get there quickly and access the ferry quickly, so the travel time in the event of an emergency shortens by at least five minutes.”
This Wednesday, November 11th, from 1-3pm at the WI Hall the Gabriola Health Care Society/Auxiliary is inviting the public to a “Fundraising & Community Awareness Events” brainstorming session, to set up a schedule and start the coordination of a calendar with monthly activities for the 2010 – Year of the Clinic campaign.
Please call Nancy at 250-247-0041 or email nevamore@shaw.ca for more information, confirmation of your attendance, or if you can’t attend but have some ideas that you would like presented.
The data and services committee has met with Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA) and the Ministry of Health.
They have agreed to do a community based wellness survey on Gabriola.
Brenda explained that with that data, when it comes to looking for funding for projects, “You get to target your requests more specifically...target the dollars.
“We put in a submission to the integrated health network for wellness services to be provided on Gabriola.
“So, in the new year, if you are over 50, have two or more chronic diseases and have decided to improve your health through a wellness activity (improve diet, quit smoking, seek out a nutritionist) they have agreed to a $16,000 grant. The monies will go to the patients to have those therapies or treatments here on Gabriola. So the grant will end up with the therapists to provide services for our patients here.”
The GHCS is working with the BC Medical School to have both clinics as part of teaching rotations. According to Brenda, there are 253 first year students enrolled in the medical school.
“We will get students coming through both clinics. Our doctors will benefit, they love to teach. The other thing is one day, five to six years from now, we’re hoping these students will see our ad and want to come here because they remember being here.”
Brenda added, “We would be remiss if we did not ask for volunteers. We need volunteers for building the clinic, for raising the $1 million dollars to build the clinic. It’s a lot of money if you don’t have it, but it’s not a lot when you divide it amongst 5,000 residents. So we’re going to raise the money and tonight is a good start.
“Our foundation is a member of Imagine Canada, we have access to their database and have a shortbase for foundations to go ask for money from.”
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