Richmond to open its first CHC
A dream for more than a decade, Richmond’s first Community Health Centre (CHC) is a mere 18 months away from becoming a bricks-and-mortar reality.
VCH Richmond entered into a lease agreement late last week to expand its usable space at 7671 Alderbridge Way. While Alderbridge will shortly become the new home of the Richmond Adult and Older Adult Mental Health Teams and the Anne Vogel Clinic (as at June 6), an additional 27,000 square feet of space obtained in the same building will allow Richmond to build on these MH&SU programs to create a comprehensive Community Health Centre.
“The need for this CHC is well documented and is especially important as we continue to shift services from Acute to Community,” said Jennifer MacKenzie, chief operating officer, VCH Richmond. “As the fourth largest community in BC with one of the fastest growing senior’s populations, our new CHC will sit as the cornerstone of this healthy, thriving community.”
Co-located services
The new CHC will increase VCH Richmond’s ability to bring complimentary programs and services together under one roof. CHC programs and services may include primary care, public and population health programs, as well as other home and community care services. These services may be currently located at Richmond Hospital, 8100 Granville or at other sites in the community.
Although many services will remain at 8100, VCH Richmond now has the opportunity to optimize program affinities at a second service hub; allowing Richmond to develop community-based services with the powerful benefit of co-located and integrated programming and care-provider expertise.
Care for vulnerable populations
The services at the new CHC will also focus on the care required by vulnerable populations. CHC services will take a population-based approach to health care; focusing on the community’s most vulnerable populations, such as those with mental health and substance use challenges, chronic disease and the frail elderly. It will also help VCH Richmond build on the work it’s started with developing the Primary Care Home.
“Launching Richmond’s first CHC is an incredible opportunity for us to work together, to re-imagine how Acute and Community work together, and to apply innovative solutions wherever and whenever we can for the benefit of our patients and clients,” MacKenzie added.
Next steps
VCH Richmond is currently recruiting for a CHC project lead and project team. Next steps in the planning process include:
- Visioning – To determine what community programs and services will be located in the new CHC
- Development of the Clinical Services Plan
- Development of a Functional Program
The planning process will engage key stakeholders and build on previous work completed on this topic as well as recent planning around development of the Primary Care Home.
It’s expected that Richmond’s new CHC will be ready for occupancy in late 2018.