Press Release: Primrose Medical Centre Set to Open September 2026
Updated: 1 day ago
A Major Milestone for Primary Care in Qualicum Beach and Oceanside
The Mid Island Health Alliance (MIHA) is proud to announce the upcoming opening of Primrose Medical Centre in September 2026, an important step forward in strengthening access to primary healthcare for Qualicum Beach, Qualicum First Nation and surrounding Oceanside communities.
After a year of planning, collaboration and recruitment, four physicians have been secured to launch the clinic, with space for two to five more to join. It's a major milestone in addressing the critical shortage of primary care providers in our region.
A Primary Care Hub Built for the Future
Primrose Medical Centre is being developed as part of a broader vision to create a robust, scalable and future-focused primary care hub. At full operation, the clinic will house six to 10 physicians, with the capacity to attach at least 9,000 patients.
To address unmet needs in the community, the clinic plans to organize specialty clinics that patients can be referred to, including:
Geriatric care
Women's health and prenatal care
Mental health
Youth and adolescent health
The clinic will also host a rotation of specialist physicians, improving local access and reducing wait times for specialist care.
Leadership: Dr. Kelly Hadfield Named Incoming Medical Director of Primrose Medical Centre
Dr. Kelly Hadfield, who has served as Physician Consultant and recruitment lead, will become the clinic's incoming Medical Director. She will continue to lead the Qualicum Beach Medical Clinic and the Qualicum First Nation Medical Walk-In Clinic. Her leadership has been instrumental in shaping the clinic's operations, recruitment strategy and community care vision.
"This medical centre represents a transformative leap forward for our community," said Susanne Cunningham, Chair of the Mid Island Health Alliance. "The Primrose Medical Centre is not simply a building. It is the future backbone of healthcare delivery in Qualicum Beach. It will bring stability for physicians, attach thousands of patients, and strengthen care for seniors, families, and rural residents for decades to come."
Made Possible by Community Support
A project of this scale requires exceptional community support. MIHA acknowledges the profound contributions of Dr. Paul Connor and his wife, Gill, whose generosity and vision have been central to moving this project from concept to reality. Their support, combined with MIHA's ongoing partnership with the Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation and many community leaders, continues to drive the clinic toward its opening.
Primrose Medical Centre will also build long-term resilience for the region by supporting medical learners, future residents and new physicians arriving from across Canada and abroad.
Help Bring the Clinic to Life
The success of Primrose Medical Centre depends on community-powered philanthropy. MIHA invites residents, businesses and supporters to help by contributing to construction, equipment and start-up costs.
"Community input, and community investment, is essential," said Cunningham. "This health centre belongs to the people of Oceanside, and together we can build a healthcare home that supports everyone for generations."
"We're building a centre that prioritizes patients, supports physicians, and reflects the values of this community," she added. "This is an investment in the region's health for the next 30 years."
