People in the Comox Valley will be seeing additional care providers, newly added services and expanded hours at Island Health’s Comox Valley After Hours Urgent Care Clinic.
Health Minister Adrian Dix says the additions will lighten impacts on the North Island hospital emergency department and reduce wait times for patients.
The clinic is now offering expanded hours - Monday to Friday, 1 p.m. to 9 p.m., and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends and statutory holidays.
That’s an extra 34 hours of clinic time per week compared to previous operating hours.
The clinic is also adding nurses, physician/nurse practitioners, and new social work and mental health services.
Courtenay-Comox MLA Ronna-Rae Leonard says more people in the Comox Valley region will receive timely care close to home and enjoy a higher quality of life.
While it is not a walk-in clinic, it does offer same-day appointments whenever possible.
Island Health says since last May, the Comox Valley After Hours Urgent Care Clinic has supported more than 3,200 patient visits, taking pressure off of the hospital by giving people a more appropriate option when they need urgent care but don’t require a trip to an emergency department.
The clinic was established in 2021 by the Comox Valley Division of Family Practice, in partnership with Island Health, as a community response to expand access to evening and weekend urgent primary care during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Last spring, the clinic was relocated to the nursing centre and Island Health assumed ownership and operations.
To learn more, visit Island Health.
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