Those needing urgent or primary care in the Cowichan Valley can now access a new, team-based facility at the Cowichan Urgent and Primary Care Centre (UPCC).
The province said access to the centre will be by appointment and based on need, with a nurse or clinician first assessing patients over the phone to determine the appropriate care.
Cowichan Valley MLA Debra Toporowski said the new facility is a welcome addition for residents who need care closer to home.
“This new UPCC is great news for people living in and around Duncan,” she said. “It’s especially significant for Cowichan Tribes, Penelakut Tribe, Halalt, Lyackson, Stz’uminus, Malahat, Ts’uubaa-asatx and Ditidaht First Nations who will have access to care closer to their communities.”
The centre will be staffed by about 30 full-time-equivalent health-care providers, including family physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, social workers, mental-health clinicians and administrative staff.
Island Health board chair Leah Hollins said the opening of the UPCC marks a significant step forward in enhancing primary care for Cowichan Valley residents.
“We’re excited to open this new urgent and primary care centre in the Island Health region,” she said. “It represents a significant step forward in enhancing primary care for Cowichan residents, offering comprehensive services and wrap-around supports from a dedicated team of health-care professionals.”
The space includes a multi-cultural room, 12 patient-examination rooms and five consultation rooms for mental-health and substance-use care.
The province said it has committed approximately $6.9 million in ongoing operational funding and $860,000 in startup funding for the facility.
