Great news for Colwood residents... our third doctor has joined the Colwood Clinic team. Dr. Denis McDonnell has made the move to Colwood from the UK and will be accepting new patients in the first week of July.
Dr. Denis grew up in Ireland and moved to the UK to study at the Universitie of Exeter and Plymouth. As a family physician, Dr. Denis is passionate about improving patients' health and wellbeing and appreciates the ability to offer continuity of care for his patients.
"The Colwood Clinic model appealed immediately," said Denis. "Working for the community with a focus on well being, community involvement, and camaraderie were all very attractive. I also like the fact that I work with municipal colleagues whose expertise is administration so I can focus on caring for patients while Colwood runs the business."
In addition to the clinic model, Denis says he grew up watching wildlife documentaries and has always been drawn to the natural beauty of Canada, and the friendliness of Canadians.
"My first impressions of Colwood have been fantastic," said Denis. "Being able to walk down to the ocean or hop on the Galloping Goose Trail for an enjoyable trip into downtown Victoria, Colwood offers a lot to do. I've also been enjoying watching the world cup at the fan zone in nearby Langford."
Preparing for the growth of the Colwood Clinic
Since the City opened its Clinic in January 2025, nearly 2,000 Colwood residents who didn't previously have a family doctor are now receiving care from Dr. Cassandra and Dr. Mo. That number is expected to grow quickly over the coming year with Dr. Denis joining the team and a fourth doctor in process! With anticipated patient caseloads estimated at 1,250 each, the clinic now has the capacity to care for 3,750 Colwood residents.
As Colwood's team of doctors, patients, and medical office staff grows, the Colwood Clinic is quickly outgrowing its current leased space in the Royal Bay Commons. The City is exploring options to work with partners to establish a larger clinic space through a request for proposals for a new building, buildout of an existing space, or a lease of suitable existing premises.
About the Colwood Clinic
With a population of approximately 23,000 people, the City of Colwood found itself without a single family physician offering care in the community. When 69 per cent of Colwood residents indicated having a family doctor was their highest priority in the 2023 Life in Colwood Survey, Colwood Council took it to heart.
Colwood Council and staff worked with the Ministry of Health, Island Health and other partners to establish a municipal health care model. The City leased existing clinic space, and began recruiting to hire family physicians as municipal employees. Doctor and clinic staff salaries are funded by Provincial revenues through the Ministry of Health the same way physicians in other clinics bill for their time. It’s an innovative payment model made possible thanks to the BC Ministry of Health’s forward-thinking Longitudinal Family Physician Payment Program.
It’s an appealing offer for the doctors, who are part of a supportive team with a focus on well-being rather than on the business of running a clinic. They receive paid vacation and maternity/paternity leave, full medical benefits, and a defined pension from the Municipal Pension Plan.
Connecting Colwood residents to a family doctor
If you live in Colwood, make sure you are registered with the BC Health Connect Registry! Patients are referred from the Registry to the Colwood Clinic and the medical office assistant will call you when they receive your referral.
Learn more at www.Colwood.ca/ColwoodClinic
Media Contact
Sandra Russell, Manager of Communications & Engagement
srussell@colwood.ca
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