Advertisement

B.C.’s first-ever francophone health centre to open this fall

Minister of Health Adrian Dix speaks during a news conference to announce Canada's first self-screening cervical cancer plan, with at-home tests in Vancouver, B.C., on January 9, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns. EC

A new health centre dedicated to serving British Columbia’s French-language speakers will open its doors this fall in Vancouver.

A statement from B.C.’s Ministry of Health says the current Vancouver Urban Health Centre cannot accommodate the needs of the Lower Mainland’s growing French-speaking community, even though it offers primary care in both French and English.

It says the new centre, expected to open in October in Vancouver, will be equipped with a care team of family doctors, nurses and social workers.

Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday.

Get weekly health news

Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

The government hopes to connect 4,400 people to primary care by 2029.

Provincial Health Minister Adrian Dix says the demand for patient-centred care is growing as the province welcomes more newcomers from French-speaking countries and beyond.

Data provided by the province shows 6.6 per cent of B.C.’s population, or more than 328,000 people, can speak French.

Story continues below advertisement

More than 80,000 provincial residents named French as their mother tongue as of 2021, with more than half that population living in the Lower Mainland.

Sponsored content

AdChoices