Finding the right care in the right place

There are services available to help you manage your health, and prevent hospital visits. 

Services include outpatient clinics and health-care services provided by family primary care providers and nurse practitioners, walk-in clinics, urgent and primary care centres and community pharmacists. 

You can also dial 8-1-1 to reach HealthLinkBC 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for health information and advice.

Learn more about the services available to you

GETTING THE RIGHT CARE, AT THE RIGHT PLACE. 

Watch these videos to learn how our triage system works and hear from local physicians who have advice on where to seek health care, depending on the nature of your illness or health need. 

Visiting the Emergency Department (ER)

If you or someone in your care is experiencing a health crisis or has an urgent medical condition do not hesitate to come to the nearest emergency department or call 9-1-1.

To find examples of urgent medical conditions that require immediate care, please visit the Visiting the Emergency Department (ER) web page.

What's taking so long? Emergency Department wait times explained.

On arrival at the emergency department you will be assessed by a triage nurse and seen by a physician on a priority basis.

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Right care, right place explained

Watch these videos to hear from local physicians who have advice on where to seek health care, depending on the nature of your illness or health need across the Island Health region.

Cowichan Valley

Nanaimo

Victoria

8-1-1

By calling 8-1-1, you can speak to a health service navigator, who can help you find health information and services; or connect you directly with a registered nurse, a registered dietitian, a qualified exercise professional, or a pharmacist. Any one of these healthcare professionals will help you get the information you need to manage your health concerns, or those of your family. Visit HealthLinkBC to learn more.

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Health Connect Registry

If you live in B.C. and need a family doctor or nurse practitioner, you can register yourself and your family members for the Health Connect Registry. If you’re already on a waitlist at your local clinic, or if you have a family doctor or nurse practitioner, you do not need to register.

When a provider in your area becomes available, the team in your community will contact you to get matched. They may also contact you for more information.

COMMUNITY VIRTUAL CARE

Community Virtual Care is a free program that helps people living with various chronic diseases.

Registered nurses help you to remotely manage your condition from the comfort of your home. All of the tools needed are loaned to you at no cost.

Community Virtual Care programs do not require a primary care provider referral. For more information, call the Community Access Centre for your region:

South Island 1-888-533-2273
Central Island 1-877-734-4101
North Island 1-866-928-4988

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What is Community Virtual Care?

Chronic kidney disease support

Community Virtual Care offers a free, virtual program tailored to support and educate you to better manage your chronic kidney disease. A Registered Nurse will check in with you regularly, monitor your symptoms, and provide coaching and education so you can improve your ability to manage your condition. The program is approximately 12 weeks long and all equipment is loaned to you at no cost.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) support

Are you struggling with symptoms of COPD? The free Community Virtual Care program is tailored to support and educate you to better manage your disease. A Registered Nurse will check in with you regularly, monitor your symptoms, and, with coaching, you will improve your ability to manage your condition. The program is approximately 12 weeks long and all equipment is loaned to you at no cost.

Diabetes support

Whether you are newly diagnosed or have had diabetes for a long time the Community Virtual Care program offers free, virtual support and education to help you better manage your diabetes. A Registered Nurse will check in with you regularly, monitor your symptoms, and, with coaching, you will improve your ability to manage your condition. The program is approximately 12 weeks long and all equipment is loaned to you at no cost.

Heart failure support

Community Virtual Care offers a free, virtual program tailored to support and educate you to better manage your Heart Failure. A Registered Nurse will check in with you regularly, monitor your symptoms, and, with coaching, you will improve your ability to manage your condition. The program is approximately 12 weeks long and all equipment is loaned to you at no cost.

High blood pressure support

Are you looking for support to better understand and manage your high blood pressure symptoms? Community Virtual Care offers a free, virtual program tailored to support and educate you to better manage your disease. A Registered Nurse will check in with you regularly, monitor your symptoms, and, with coaching, you will improve your ability to manage your condition. The program is approximately 12 weeks long and all equipment is loaned to you at no cost.

Caregiver Support Program

Whether you are new to caregiving or have years of experience, being a caregiver can be challenging and you may feel physical, emotional and mental exhaustion. The Caregiver Support program is for unpaid caregivers and focuses on optimizing your emotional wellbeing and enhancing coping skills in your caregiving role. The program offers three service streams: brief one-to-one counselling, group counselling and a skill-building group. These streams may be offered alone or in combination, based on the caregiver’s goals.

OTHER HEALTH AND CARE SERVICES AVAILABLE ACROSS THE REGION

Community Health Services

Community Health Services (CHS) provides a variety of support including professional and home support services to enable people with health-related problems to remain independent in their own homes.  

You may be referred to Community Health Services by a physician, for example: after a fall at home or following a surgical procedure, however you can also self-refer or refer a family member.

Community Health Services do not require a primary care provider referral. For more information, call the Community Access Centre for your region:

South Island 1-888-533-2273
Central Island 1-877-734-4101
North Island 1-866-928-4988

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Mental health support

For more information or help navigating services for mental health, substance use and harm reduction, please call the Mental Health and Substance Use Service Link at 1-888-885-8824. This line is answered seven days a week. As this is not an emergency or crisis service, callers who leave a message will be contacted the same or next day.

Island Health also offers a range of services for people seeking support to help manage their mental health and substance use. Learn more on our Mental Health & Substance Use Services page.

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Royal Jubilee Hospital Liver Care Clinic

The Liver Care Clinic at the Royal Jubilee Hospital is an outpatient clinic that aims to empower patients living with liver disease. Visit the Liver Care Clinic webpage to learn how you can get a referral. 

Same day access to primary care

North Quadra Urgent and Primary Care Centre – Saanich
Esquimalt Urgent and Primary Care Centre – Esquimalt
Downtown Victoria Urgent and Primary Care Centre – Victoria
Gorge Urgent and Primary Care Centre – Victoria  
James Bay Urgent and Primary Care Centre – Victoria
Westshore Urgent Primary Care Centre – Langford  
Medical Arts Urgent and Primary Care Centre - Nanaimo
Comox Valley After Hours Urgent Care Clinic (at Comox Valley Nursing Centre)

Urgent care resources

Chemainus Urgent Care Clinic (at Chemainus Health Care Centre)
Ladysmith Urgent Care Clinic (at Ladysmith Community Health Centre)
Oceanside Urgent Care Clinic (at Oceanside Health Centre – Parksville)

Urgent prescription refill and pharmacist services

Pharmacist Services

B.C. Community Pharmacist can assess and prescribe for minor ailments and contraception. This service is available to every B.C. resident with a Personal Health Number.

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Urgent Prescription Refill

If you need an urgent refill on your prescription, contact your pharmacist, who may be able to provide an emergency supply, or give other useful health advice. On June 1, 2023, pharmacists’ scope of practice was expanded to allow them to prescribe for 21 minor ailments and contraceptives. For a full list of included ailments and to book an appointment with a pharmacist, visit gov.bc.ca/SeeAPharmacist.

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Yakimovich Wellness Centre

The Yakimovich Wellness Centre (Yakimovich) offers in-person and virtual information sessions for free. These sessions will help you better navigate your health and aging journey.