Due to limited physician availability, Island Health is advising community residents and visitors about changes to the operating hours for urgent care services at the Chemainus Health Care Centre (CHCC) during the month of January.
During this time, laboratory and medical imaging services at the CHCC will continue as usual.
Hours of operation for urgent care for the first half of the month are as follows:
| January 1 | Closed |
| January 2 | Closed |
| January 3 | Closed |
| January 4 | No change, open 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. |
| January 5 | No change, open 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. |
| January 6 | No change, open 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. |
| January 7 | Closed |
| January 8 | Open 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. |
| January 9 | Closed |
| January 10 | No change, open 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. |
| January 11 | Open 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. |
| January 12 | Open 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. |
| January 13 | Closed |
| January 14 | Open 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. |
| January 15 | Open 2 p.m. - 8 p.m. |
| January 16 | No change, open 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. |
| January 17 | No change, open 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. |
| January 18 | Open 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. |
| January 19 | Closed |
| January 20 | Closed |
| January 21 | Open 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. |
| January 22 | Open 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. |
| January 23 | Open 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. |
| January 24 | Open 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. |
| January 25 | Closed |
| January 26 | No change, open 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. |
| January 27 | Open 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. |
| January 28 | Closed |
| January 29 | Closed |
| January 30 | Open 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. |
| January 31 | Closed |
During the hours when urgent care at CHCC is not open, people should proceed to the Ladysmith Community Health Centre (15km away) or Cowichan District Hospital (20 km away). During the hours when CHCC is not open, Island Health will allocate additional resources to Ladysmith and Cowichan to support staff and patients.
Island Health is continuing work to secure additional physician coverage for January, which may result in adjustments to CHCC urgent care hours of operation. Residents and visitors to the area can call ahead to the CHCC for up-to-date information at 250-737-2040 ext. 42227 or check for updates on the Island Health website.
Anyone experiencing a medical emergency should call 911 or, if possible, proceed to the nearest Emergency Department.
If you are unsure if you are experiencing a medical situation requiring a visit to an emergency department, confidential health information and advice from a registered nurse is available toll free, 24/7 by calling HealthLink BC at 811.
Island Health acknowledges this is not an ideal situation for the community and we sincerely apologize for any inconvenience experienced by this temporary service interruption.