More Access To Health Care Coming To The Comox Valley

People in the Comox Valley who want to be connected to a family doctor will soon have access to one, with the opening of a new urgent and primary care centre.

“People in the Comox Valley and around the province deserve high-quality care without a long drive or a long wait,” said Premier David Eby.

“More and more people in this region are getting attached to a family doctor and more primary-care resources are coming in to help people get the care they need. For life’s everyday bumps and bruises, people can get same-day care from a team of doctors and nurses, relieving pressure on local emergency rooms.”

The clinic will provide care into the evening hours and will operate seven days a week from a temporary location at the Comox Valley Nursing Centre at 615 10th Street.

Health Minister Adrian Dix says since the implementation of the government’s primary-care strategy in 2018, they have opened 35 UPCCs serving approximately 2.7 million people in B.C. who needed urgent, episodic care and treatment.

People can self-refer to the clinic for their urgent primary-care needs. Patients requiring laboratory testing beyond simple specimen collection will be provided with requisitions for lab tests at nearby laboratories.

In its temporary location, the UPCC will have as many as 18 full-time equivalent health-care providers, including family physicians, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, a social worker, mental-health consultants and clinical support staff.

Once established at its larger, permanent location, the team will more than double.

Courtenay Comox MLA Ronna Rae Leonard says the investment improves health care for people in the Comox Valley and across the province.
“UPCCs have a positive impact on a community’s well-being, and as a member of the Courtenay-Comox community, I am grateful that our government has responded quickly to our need by investing here.”

In addition to providing funding for the FTEs at both the temporary and permanent sites, the Province, through Island Health, invested $168,200 in capital funding for tenant improvements at Phase 1 of the UPCC site. Operated by Island Health, this UPCC is a collaboration between Island Health, the Ministry of Health, Comox Valley Primary Care Network and the Comox Valley Division of Family Practice.

In a release, the Eby government says since 2021, more than 15,000 people in the region have been attached to a primary-care provider through the Comox Primary Care Network, with thousands more spaces coming online soon. In addition, the government says more nurse practitioners are working in the region after a successful recruitment drive.

The UPCC provides urgent primary care seven days a week, Monday to Friday from 1 p.m. until 9 p.m. and weekends and statutory holidays from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m.

People can access care by calling 250 331-8099 to make an appointment.

For details, visit Government of British Columbia.