Nursing care at home and in the community

Get support and nursing care at home or in your community.

This service may help if you or someone you care for needs non-emergency nursing care such as:

• Help with wounds or complex skin conidtions
• Support to take medications safely and manage pain or other symptoms
• Care after a hospital stay or surgery
• Help starting and monitoring IV (intravenous) therapy
• Support managing long‑term health conditions
• Help looking after your ostomy

If you qualify for services, you can receive nursing care at home or in your community.

Nursing care may be provided:

• In your home, if you are recovering after a hospital stay, managing a serious or life limiting illness, or unable to function independently
• At a local nursing clinic (sometimes called an ambulatory clinic) at your Home Health Office.

Your nurse will work with you, your family, and your healthcare team to create a plan that fits your goals.

You may be eligible if:

• You are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident;
• You have lived in B.C. for at least 3 months;
• You are 19 years or older;
• You live in B.C.; and
• You need care at home (after a hospital stay, instead of going to hospital, or because of a serious or terminal illness) and/or be unable to function independently due to chronic or end-stage illness.

Eligibility is set by the B.C. Ministry of Health. For full details, visit the BC Ministry of Health Community Nursing website. 

Have the following details and documents ready for yourself or the person you’re calling for:

• A valid BC Services Card
• Full name
• Date of birth
• Home address

Call the Community Access Line. We’ll ask a few questions, learn what you need, and connect you with services. 

South Island: 250-388-2273 / 1-888-533-2273  Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Centre Island: 250-739-5749 / 1-877-734-4101  Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
North Island: 250-331-8570 / 1-866-928-4988
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

Services are free of charge. There may be a cost for items such as medical equipment or wound care supplies.