— SINCE 1994 —
Welcome to the
Gabriola Medical Clinic
We acknowledge we are on the ancestral traditional territory of the Snuneymuxw First Nation
On parle français.
Mówimy po polsku.
A PART OF OUR COMMUNITY
Gabriola Medical Clinic
Gabriola Medical Clinic began in 1994. In 2012, we moved into a beautiful, modern, community-built building — the Gabriola Community Health Centre.
The doctors and staff aim to offer the best possible medical care to people on Gabriola Island. We believe the relationship between doctors, patients, and staff to be a partnership, working best when based on mutual trust and respect. We aim to follow this compact, published by the BC General Practice Services Committee, and we encourage you to, too.
We try to provide the best possible care to people who may find it harder to access healthcare services, including people with severe mental health problems, learning difficulties, drug problems, homeless people, those with limited English.
You can find out more about the clinic by checking out our Clinic Achievements page where you’ll find relevant articles and videos relating to the clinic.
We will not tolerate abusive or offensive language or behaviour.
We gratefully acknowledge the Gabriola Health Care Foundation, which owns the Health Centre and generously supported the development of this website.
CURRENT UPDATES
Gabriola Medical Clinic News
Please note the above news posts are limited to the most recent. Visit our facebook page to view our full timeline.
The Building
The clinic is grateful to occupy a wonderful building that was built by the community on Gabriola and is operated by the Gabriola Health Care Foundation. The story of how this clinic was built is remarkable. For more information, and for videos telling the clinic’s story, see the Foundation’s website.
Travel Assistance Forms
Travel assistance forms are available for eligible BC residents who need to travel within the province for non-emergency medical specialist services not available within their own community. Please call ahead with the name of the specialist or service and we can have the form ready for you quickly.
For information regarding medical assured loading, please see the BC Ferries news release.
Fees and Charges
The Medical Services Plan of BC (MSP) covers most necessary medical services for BC residents. Please refer to our Fee Schedule here for complete details.
Recruitment
We’re looking for a fourth doctor to join us. For more information, see here, or call (250) 247-9922 to speak to Dr. Maciej Mierzewski or any of the doctors. We’d be delighted to tell you more.
We believe there are around 800 patients on Gabriola who are not registered with a GP. We are very concerned about this and are actively trying to recruit a fourth permanent doctor. Our aim is that everyone on the island who wants a GP at our clinic can have one.
During the pandemic, we’re doing our best to accommodate everyone on Gabriola. Call us on (250) 247-9922.
Please understand that we are not a walk-in clinic. For more information about our services during the pandemic, click here and for emergency care, click here.
Get In Touch
Phone & Fax
P. (250) 247-9922
F. (250) 247-9162
Hours
M, T, W & F: 9am to 4pm
Thursday: 10am to 4pm
Address
695 Church Street
Gabriola BC V0R 1X3
Gabriola Medical Clinic
4 weeks ago
As the last of this year comes to a close we want to thank our community for their understanding and patience through the many hard months of the pandemic. Somehow we did get through 2020 together! ❤️
We have had to prioritize different things since COVID-19. We had to make room in our schedules for COVID testing, extra cleaning, spacing of patients in clinic, donning and doffing of PPE, and the challenges of medicine by phone.
We have done our best to accommodate the 1000+ residents without their own family doctor on Gabriola. We had to make more time for the elderly and frail whose families could not visit to care for them. We continued to see the many emergencies and tried to divert people from Nanaimo whenever possible. We had to have hours (and hours and hours!) of meetings to understand COVID, plan our clinic response and connect with the health authority and broader medical community.
In 2020, even as people stayed at home to be safe, Gabriolans were still diagnosed with cancer, they still had heart attacks, they still got pregnant, they still wanted flu shots in record numbers, they still needed support before and after surgery, they still needed palliative care at home, they increasingly needed help for mental health challenges, and they just kept falling off things and cutting themselves!
With less room in our schedules - now stuffed with new and different demands - people have sometimes had to wait longer for routine care, and have often been frustrated that the doctors can't just add one more quick phone call to the already full day. We understand that frustration and have had our share of frustration too. We are learning a lot from this challenge and hope it will help us provide even better service to our community in the long run. In the meantime we are truly doing the best we can to help as many people as possible. Please understand the demands on the doctors and staff, plan ahead for your refills and try to have patience with a system that is stretched thin.
The pandemic is not over, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. Please continue to do the things that keep our community safe - wear your mask, wash your hands, physically distance and don't travel unless essential. It might be boring, but it is working!
This is an amazing community and there is no where we would rather be during this tumultuous time. We wish everyone on Gabriola a safe and happy holiday and look forward to the return of the light in 2021. ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook As the last of this ...
Best wishes to all. I thank you for all you do and commend you on the adaptability you’ve shown. I hope you are able to have day(s?) off to recoup your energy. Indeed there is light in the future - though I suspect we’ll need a final push! Peace and Love
We really appreciate what you do for our community. Thank you for looking after all of us!
Oh my gosh...you have been amazing during this pandemic! We wear our masks to protect ourselves and community--but we are very aware it also protects you, our precious health resource. Thank you for all that you do!
Happy holidays and thank you for your dedication!
Thank you for being there for us during these difficult times.
Thank you all so much for always giving so much for this community. Bless you and ur loved ones <3
Thank you so much for being there through this vicious year, the jokes and smiles (or squinty eyes over masks hah) despite it, the bajillion TAP forms, and the push for quality care. Literally wouldn't be here if it weren't for y'all. Happy holidays and have the best New Year!
Thank you for everything you are doing. You are absolutely cherished. Safe and happy holidays to you all.💖
Thank you so much to Dr. Thorne and everyone at the Clinic... we are over the top grateful for your continued care and oversight... ❤️
We are so grateful to have the wonderful care providers and beautiful facility here in paradise. Thank you for all of your efforts.
Thank you from someone who no longer has a doctor and was able to get advice and two prescriptions from you in 2020. ❤️Happy Holidays!
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you do for us. Take good care of yourselves. 💜
Thank you for everything you all have done, think you have performed very well, thank you and wish everyone a very good Christmas.
You are a whole bunch of beautiful people.Thank you for all you do xoxo
Thanks to all the clinic Doctors & staff!!! Best wishes for the rest of this year and 2021!!!
Thanks all of you for all that you do. Hopefully 2021 brings an easier year for everyone. ❤️
Thank you for all you have done and continue to do.
Thank you so much for your hard work, everyone at the Medical Clinic
Thank you for all your kindness, work and care of us all. Happy Holidays!
Great service by great people! Gabriola is lucky to have such a dedicated group of professionals! ❤️
Thank you for being there for our community ❤ Best wishes and happy holidays to everyone. Cheers to the possible enlightenment in 2021🙏
Thank you for everything you have all done to keep us healthy and safe.
Thank you all! You do so much for our community.
Thank you all for your kind and generous service. We appreciate your always excellent care. Happy Holidays to you.
Thank you to our amazing Doctors and staff for who you are. Have a wonderful Holiday! Love you❤️
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Gabriola Medical Clinic
2 months ago
Our clinic, like all health care settings, is now mandated to ensure that everyone inside our building wear a *medical grade* mask, rather than a cloth mask. This provincial mandate is to protect healthcare staff and the public. It applies to the staff, clinicians, doctors and patients/visitors to the clinic. We do it for you and each other, and now ask that you do it for us too! ❤️
Anyone coming inside the clinic will be provided with a medical mask on entry. This includes our patients, as well as people seeing the home care nurse (Maureen), mental health nurse (Cathy) and social worker (Angela). It also includes anyone coming in to pick up forms or paperwork.
Your non-medical/cloth masks are still safe and important in other public settings, but in a medical setting a medical mask is now the standard. 😷 That makes sense.
We have all watched as the COVID-19 infections have climbed over the last weeks. This is now starting to include more cases in the Vancouver Island region. As we move through the second wave we can expect increased public health measures to ensure all of our safety, this mask change for our clinic is one example.
We all need to continue with the excellent job we have been doing keeping Gabriola safe. Wash your hands, physically distance, wear your masks, stick to your safe-6 social contacts and do not venture out when you are sick. 🤒
We continue to provide COVID-19 testing at the clinic, so please call if you have symptoms. After all these months we are still in this together. Thank you for doing your part. 🙏 ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook 110498790566562_186649486284825
No problem! Thank you for mandating this, very sensible.😊👍
Appreciative. I was surprised that the non doctor staff were not masked actually. Your updates are great as is your team there. Ty.
Thank you for sharing this information
Gabriola Medical Clinic
3 months ago
Our Drive-Thru clinic was so much fun today! It was a joy to see so many of your smiling faces.
We provided more than 500 flu vaccines today to the people of Gabriola - that is more than 10% of our island population! We are so grateful to our staff for working with us to make it happen and to the sun for shining.
If you missed the clinic and still want a flu shot please call the clinic as we are happy to arrange further opportunities for vaccine based on supply and demand. ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook 110498790566562_182784533337987
Thank you all so much - we are so lucky to have such fantastic medical staff!
Very well organized & efficient flu clinic, maybe the drive through option will be offered again next year! We arrived in the extremely long line up at 12:30 & were home by 1:00 - very impressed. Thank you!
Easiest flu shot ever. What a great team effort, thank you for giving up your Saturday for this amazing community.
Best flu shot experience ever! Big thanks to all 🙏👍🎉❤️
Sooooo easy!!! And we are so appreciative! Please say you’ll Do drive through every year 😀😀😀❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Well done and a big thank you to the doctors and staff! And thank you Dr. Maciej for the painless injection 🙂
Great job today! Painless! Glad you had a beautiful sunny day for it. 😊
Thank you doctors and staff for giving up your Saturday and providing such a well organized and efficient flu clinic. Kudos to all of you.
Thank you so much for doing this! Quick, efficient and well organized. Much appreciated 😊
Well done. It looked more orderly than a usual ferry lineup. Excellent service!
Thank you SO much, everyone who made this happen to protect Gabriola.❤❤❤🌺
Was hoping to get the full drive thru experience today but missed out! I will call, but are you planning on doing another similar day?
Special thanks too as so well organized!
Very well done! The line up was so long, we thought it would take ages - but wow! So fast and efficient. Thank you!
Thank you so much. You guys were awesome today.
Big job, very well done. Thankyou so much!!
Thank You!
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Gabriola Medical Clinic
3 months ago
🚗💉Drive-Thru Flu Clinic Saturday October 24
12:30 - 3:30 at the Clinic, 695 Church Street
Wear a mask and be prepared to present your BC CareCard
Adults only during this clinic to facilitate efficiency
Families/children are now welcome to book an appointment for vaccination during regular clinic hours ❤️
We will provide vaccine to eligible people on a first come first serve basis. If if we run out we will organize additional clinics based on demand. If the line up extends down Church Street please remember not to block the entrance to the Fire Hall or Ambulance Station. ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook 110498790566562_181104926839281
Phil Martin
Any plans to offer another clinic for folks who may not be able to attend? (and if there aren’t enough doses to meet demand)
Is this the high dose vaccine or regular dose?
Big thanks for setting up the drive through flu shot clinic today! Fast, efficient and convenient. Much appreciated!!
What are the eligibility criteria, please?
oh dear I wonder if I can find my Care Card.... Isn't it on our Driver's License now?
Thankyou I will be there!
And if we don't have a car what happens. I bike.
So we stay in our car?,?
Major kudos and appreciation to staff at Gabriola Medical Clinic! 🥰👏👨⚕️👩🏼⚕️😷 We are so lucky!
If we aren’t ”eligible” because we are not in the high risk/connected to high risk, but want to get a shot anyway, what is the procedure for that?
What if we have a mask exemption?
Can we get a proof that we had the flu shot? I just received my shot - very efficient Medical Clinic empoyees with the drive through process !
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Gabriola Medical Clinic
3 months ago
Hip Hip Hooray! We have been told we will have flu vaccine before the end of October.
We are working on plans for a COVID safe flu clinic. As soon as we have a date, place and time we will post the details here. Until then try and hold your questions and calls about flu vaccine, as the staff cannot provide any further details at this time.
In preparation for the flu clinic please consider if you are eligible for a free flu shot. In this pandemic year the criteria have not changed for publicly funded flu shots, and not everyone is eligible.
See the attached link to see if the flu shot will be funded for you. ... See MoreSee Less
Inactivated Influenza (Flu) Vaccine
www.healthlinkbc.ca
What is the inactivated influenza vaccine?Comment on Facebook What is the ...
Thanks for being there.
Thanks for the information ❣️❣️
hi - from Mudge, ovarian cancer & senior but missed out on shots last year because every time in Gabriola then were out of vaccine, so wonder...will the flu shot be by appointment this time? and do we need a doctors (who in Nanaimo) note? thanks!!! been anxious to get one.
Gabriola Medical Clinic
4 months ago
The clinic will be closed Thursday Sept 24 and Friday Sept 25 for medical staff training. We are lucky to be running the fantastic CARE Course (Comprehensive Approach to Rural Emergencies) here on Gabriola and we are using the clinic as our staging site.
We are excited about the long term positive impact this training will have on our ability to provide our community with the best possible medical care.
Please do not drop by the clinic during this time as we will not be answering the door, and may be running scenarios on the grounds of the clinic. The phones will be answered Thursday from 10 am-3 pm and Friday from 9 am to noon.
The services in the lower level of the Community Health Centre will operating on their regular schedule.
If you have a medical emergency please call 911. The Urgent Primary Care Centre at Port Place is available for walk in needs.
www.thecarecourse.ca/moodle/ ... See MoreSee Less
The CARE Course - Comprehensive Approach to Rural Emergencies
www.thecarecourse.ca
The CARE Course strives to provide a FUN, WARM, SUPPORTIVE educational experience that will improve the confidence and competence of rural emergency care providers across the Canada.Comment on Facebook The CARE Course ...
Will the Lifelabs be closed too?
It is on the lower level