Primrose Medical Centre Opens in Qualicum Beach, Expanding Access to local Healthcare
Community Vision, Philanthropy and collaboration Bring a $1.5-Million Medical Centre to Oceanside, Expanding Primary and Specialist Care Access
QUALICUM BEACH, B.C. — October 26, 2026 — Primrose Medical Centre has officially opened in Qualicum Beach. Following two years of planning, physician recruitment, fundraising and community collaboration, the centre will bring expanded access to primary and specialty care to Oceanside residents. The clinic will open to patients on November 2nd.
Located at 661 Primrose Avenue, the $1.5-million facility was developed under the leadership of Mid Island Health Alliance (MIHA), in partnership with the Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation, Dr. Paul and Gillian Connor, the Town of Qualicum Beach, numerous local healthcare providers, community leaders, individuals and organizations whose financial support, expertise and commitment helped bring the centre to completion.
“Primrose Medical Centre is the culmination of an extraordinary community effort and a shareddetermination to improve access to health care in Oceanside,” said Susanne Cunningham, Chair of Mid Island Health Alliance. “What began as a vision has become a purpose-built facility that will support physicians, bring more services closer to home and create opportunities to meet the health-care needs of our growing community for years to come.”
From Community Vision to Reality
A key contributor to the vision and development of Primrose Medical Centre is Dr. Kelly Hadfield, a family physician and longtime advocate for health equity and community-based care. As medical director of the new centre, Dr. Hadfield will guide the development of local services while continuing her work as medical director at Qualicum Beach Medical Clinic. She is also the founder and Executive Director of Ghana Medical Help.
“Opening the Primrose Medical Centre is an exciting first step toward better local healthcare for Oceanside. We open on November 2, 2026 with four family physicians, a nurse practitioner joining soon, two nurses, a social worker and a dedicated administrative team, alongside 14 specialists and surgeons who will hold specialty outreach clinics right here in our community. The Primrose clinic has room to grow to about three times our opening team, so we’ll be welcoming new patients steadily off the central patient registry as more family doctors and nurse practitioners join us, and we’re deeply grateful to everyone who helped make this possible,” said Dr. Hadfield.
Building Capacity for the Future
For patients and families, having access to care closer to home means fewer lengthy trips for appointments and greater convenience, particularly for seniors and those managing ongoing health conditions.
By bringing primary care, procedure space and visiting specialists together under one roof, the centre is designed to address current health-care needs while laying the groundwork for expanded services in the future. As additional physicians are recruited, the facility can grow its capacity to serve Oceanside’s expanding population.
Beyond meeting immediate community needs, the centre also represents an investment in the future of local health care. By providing a community-based setting for physicians and medical learners, it has the potential to help attract and retain health-care professionals in the region while strengthening the long-term sustainability of services for Oceanside residents.
A Lasting Community Investment
Community support has been central to the project, from the initial vision and physician recruitment through to construction and opening preparations. MIHA and its partners extend their sincere appreciation to everyone who contributed time, expertise and resources, including major supporters and donors from across Canada.
“The creation of the new Primrose Clinic is the result of the rare and perfect combination of passionate community volunteers, visionary medical leadership, a supportive town council and incredibly generous philanthropists,” said Barney Ellis-Perry, CEO Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation.
Primrose Medical Centre stands as both a response to today’s health-care needs and an investment in the region’s future. Its opening celebrates what the community has accomplished together—and begins the next chapter in expanding access to care closer to home.
