HEALTH CARE

The Alberni Valley has a excellent health care infrastructure for a British Columbia community of its size. The Alberni Valley is part of the Central Island health service delivery area of the Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA). VIHA provides healthcare services that include acute care facilities, mental health and addictions, environmental and public health, home care, and a number of residential care facilities. The Alberni Valley also offers an array of health care professionals and alternative health care choices including General Practitioners, Dentists, Orthodontists, Optometrists, and Chiropractors.

Central to the Alberni Valleys health care is the modern West Coast General Hospital which was built in 2001. The hospital has 43 beds and a 32 bed multi-level Care Unit. Services include: first rate radiology and ultrasound; bronchoscopy; gastroscopy; laboratory facilities; a large and well equipped Physical Medicine Department (physiotherapy and occupational therapy); Intensive Care Unit; psychiatric programs including in-patient and out-patient; and a day care.

The Village of Bamfield is largely reliant on the neighbouring Alberni Valley for health care. However Bamfield is home to a VIHA Health Care Center, as well as a Canadian Coast Guard Station for help with immediate first aid and medical evacuation.