Comox Valley Health Unit

Provides health promotion, disease prevention, intervention and support services to women, children, youth and families living in Comox Valley from Black Creek to Fanny Bay, including Denman and Hornby Island.

Services provided at this location:

Adults

• Publicly funded immunizations

  • For eligible adults

  • Non-funded immunizations required for travel purposes referred to GP, Pharmacist or Travel Clinic

• TB Testing for eligible populations

• STI Testing eligible populations under the age of 26

• Outreach Work

  • provides immunization and STI testing at the following locations:

    • Aids Vancouver Island (AVI) - Learn more about HIV & HCV safer sex, HIV testing or transmission, STIs and harm reduction.

    • Comox Valley Transition Society - Provides services to women and children struggling with issues of abuse and violence.

    • Comox Valley Recover Centre - Provide fresh starts for men conquering addictions.

Children and youth

• Immunization clinics offer provincially funded immunizations to infants, and school-aged children.

• Parenting Support

  • Public health nurses connect with parents to share information on topics such as safety, growth, nutrition and parenting. 

  • Public health nurses offer developmental screening and referrals to other agencies or services, as needed.

• Work in partnership with Healthy Families, Wachiay Friendship Centre and the maternity care providers to share Public Health information with young families.

• Engage with community members at early years and perinatal advisory tables.

• Kindergarten Hearing Screening: 

  • all kindergarten children in the school district are offered free hearing screening

• Dental Screening

  • On-site Hygienist supports the community to improve oral health

  • Focusing on dental prevention and young families. Learn more on the Island Health Dental Program webpage or by contacting the Health Unit at 250-331-8520.

• Nutrition

  • Please contact the Health Unit at 250-331-8520 for information on nutrition services provided by the Community Nutritionist Registered Dietitian.

• Youth Clinics

  • Free, confidential drop-in services for youth. 

  • Clinics can connect with a nurse in a welcoming, safe and respectful environment. 

  • Clinics are currently held at:

    • Foundry:  Thursdays from 1:30 - 4 p.m.

    • Frequent on site clinics at the local high schools

  • Services include: pregnancy testing and counseling, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STI), low cost birth control and/or ECP (emergency contraceptive pill), free condoms, referrals to other agencies such as mental health / counseling or medical specialists, with sexual health information sharing. 

• Comprehensive School Health

  • support schools to adopt a comprehensive school health approach to addressing the health needs of our school population

  • provide linkages between schools and community resources

  • Healthy Schools BC resource is the key initiative to help build the capacity for healthy schools. Visit Healthy Schools BC for more information.

• School-based immunization clinics for kindergarten, grade 6 and 9 students.

• Communicable Disease

  • Public Health Nurses collaborate with the CD Hub to offer information and follow-up of communicable diseases.

• Resources:

  • Toddler’s First Steps (six to 36 months)

Perinatal

• Right from the Start

  •  Universal registration for Public Health Nursing supports and services for pregnant people and new parents, their babies, children and families. 

  • Nurses guide clients as they navigate potential challenges with pregnancy and parenthood.

• Prenatal Education

  • Access to free online prenatal education

  • One-to-one prenatal teaching and support for individuals with specific needs

  • In person Breastfeeding Classes

• Baby Bed Program

  • offers new and expecting parents a free, self-contained safe sleeping surface for baby. 

  • No appointment necessary. Drop by the health unit.

    • Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (no nurse available from 12 - 1 p.m.)

• Postpartum Adjustments Group

  • Geared to learn helpful skills, meet new people in your community and support each other. 

    • Fridays 1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

• Breastfeeding Support

  • Breastfeeding support: Monday to Friday. Please call 250-331-8520

  • Drop in Thursday 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. or home visit, as needed

  • Lactation consultants available

  • Monthly breastfeeding classes

• Telephone contact with all new families postnatally, offering home visits, if identified as a need.

• Resources:

  • Baby’s Best Chance - If you are about to become a parent, or just had a baby, this handbook is for you. Topics covered include pregnancy, birth and parenting a baby up to six months of age.