Welcome to our North Burnaby medical clinic, with family doctors providing primary health care for all ages

During the partnership, Medical Associates had a Canadian Pacific Railway contract to attend to employees in North Burnaby. For this contract the doctors received the grand sum of $50 per month, plus four rail passes per year to anywhere in Canada. Dr Arthur had an arrangement to carry out three VD clinics a week and Dr Smith was the Medical Director of the BC Government Employees Medical Service for 10 years. The doctors kept up with these agreements for many years since only 10% of patients had medical insurance at that time and Social Assistance and Old Age Pensioners only received 50% reimbursement for medical appointments.

Obstetrics became a large part of the practice during the late 40’s and early 50’s, the era of the “Baby Boom”. During that period, it was usual for the three doctors to deliver 250 babies per year. Dr Arthur who had an interest and special skills in Obstetrics, delivered the most maternities. Dr Lovegrove was more inclined to the medical side, whereas Dr Smith was interested in surgical, so they had a pleasant collaboration. The doctors worked 60 hours a week and all had young families, devoted and helpful wives and some time for relaxation. In 1950, they hired a full-time Laboratory Technician and although space was very restricted, they found the Technician a great aid both for the doctors and for patients, as the closest lab was in central Vancouver or one of the hospitals.