COURTENAY – Everyone in the Comox Valley, including those in Cumberland, Courtenay, Comox and K’ómoks First Nation, who wants to be connected to a family doctor will soon have access to one, thanks to the recruitment of dozens of family doctors in partnership with the local primary-care network.

Additionally, people’s health care in the region will be further strengthened with the official opening of Phase 1 of a new urgent and primary care centre (UPCC).

Local recruitment efforts were bolstered by the Province’s new payment model for physicians. 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, more nurse practitioners are practicing in the region after a successful recruitment drive, which is further strengthening health care.

“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 UPCC 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 St.

“Since the implementation of our primary-care strategy in 2018, we’ve opened 35 UPCCs serving approximately 2.7 million people in B.C. who needed urgent, episodic care and treatment,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health. “By establishing these UPCCs that offer team-based care services, our government is investing in improved access to urgent and primary care, so people can be cared for close to home, reducing the strain on other health-care services and building stronger communities.”

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 (FTE) 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.

“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,” said Ronna-Rae Leonard, MLA for Courtenay Comox. “Our government continues to deliver results through actions such as this, improving health care for people in the Comox Valley and across the province.”

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.

Quick Facts:

• In March 2021, the Comox Valley Division of Family Practice opened an after-hours urgent care clinic (AHUCC) through emergency funding in response to the COVID-19 pandemic at the Washington Park Medical Clinic in Courtenay.
• In April 2023, the AHUCC transitioned to an Island-Health-operated service at the Comox Valley Nursing Centre and has since expanded staffing and services to become a UPCC.
• The UPCC is providing 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.
• Including the Comox Valley UPCC, there are 38 announced UPCCs in B.C.
• In the Island Health region, there are UPCCs operating or planned in the Greater Victoria, Central Island and North Island areas, including Downtown Victoria, Esquimalt, James Bay, North Quadra, Westshore and the Gorge UPCCs, Comox Valley UPCC, Nanaimo UPCC and the privately operated Medical Arts UPCC in Nanaimo.

Learn More:

To learn more about the Province’s primary health-care strategy, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2018PREM0034-001010

To learn more about the Province’s health human resource strategy, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2022HLTH0059-001464

A backgrounder follows.

Leah Hollins, board chair, Island Health –

“I am so pleased that another option for same-day access to primary care is available for residents of the Comox Valley. As the first urgent and primary care centre in the north Island, this clinic’s dedicated team of health-care providers is diligently working to ensure patients have access to the primary care they need when they need it.”

Nicole Minions, mayor of Comox –

“The new UPCC is a welcomed and much-needed addition to the Comox Valley. By providing more same-day access and prompt care for minor illnesses and injuries, it will not only alleviate strain on our emergency department but also contribute to the overall well-being of our community. It is great news.”

Bob Wells, mayor of Courtenay –

“I am delighted that the first urgent and primary care centre north of Nanaimo has been established in a temporary location in the Comox Valley. Comox Valley residents will be able to access same-day primary-care services even if they don’t have a primary-care provider, which is very good news for our community.”

Dr. Deni Hawley, co-chair, Comox Valley Division of Family Practice –  

“Improving access to after-hours care is a key focus for the Comox Valley Division of Family Practice. We are thrilled that the after-hours urgent care clinic is evolving into an urgent and primary care centre. This model will enhance access to team-based episodic care for the community, continue to support local family practices and help to reduce pressure on the emergency department.”

Tami Compton, health manager, K’ómoks First Nation –

“As a member of the Comox Valley Primary Care Network Steering Committee, I work alongside primary-care network partners like the Comox Valley Division of Family Practice and Island Health to ensure that Indigenous patients receive culturally safe primary-care services close to home. I am pleased that this urgent and primary care centre is providing access to quality, timely primary care delivered by a dedicated team of health-care providers.”

Dr. Lucia Ma, medical lead, Comox Valley Primary Care Network –

“The Comox Valley Primary Care Network is very pleased to be working in partnership with Island Health to open an urgent and primary care centre in the Comox Valley. The UPCC will improve timely access to high quality, collaborative medical care for all community members. Our primary-care network will continue working with both Island Health and the formidable clinicians in our community to support all forms of primary care to improve the health and happiness of our entire community.”