Island Health is consolidating urgent and primary care services to two sites on Christmas Day to reduce the risk of last-minute closures due to weather-related challenges or limited staffing.
The downtown Victoria UPCC and the Westshore UPCC will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Christmas Day to provide urgent access to primary care. Considering traditionally low demand on Christmas Day, Island Health anticipates these sites will meet demand ensuring the public has access to the care they need.
The James Bay, North Quadra, and Esquimalt UPCCs will be closed Sunday, December 25. These sites will reopen for regular hours, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., on December 26.
Anyone in need of urgent primary care services on December 25 should call the Downtown Victoria or Westshore UPCCs. Additional staff will be working at the Downtown Victoria UPCC to assist with the increased visits. In addition to physicians working at the two UPCCs, the sites will also be supported with physicians who can provide virtual consults as required.
As always, anyone in need of immediate emergency medical attention should call 911 or visit the nearest emergency department.
If you are unsure if you are experiencing a medical situation requiring a visit to a UPCC or an emergency department, confidential health information and advice from a registered nurse is available toll free, 24/7 by calling HealthLink BC at 811.
Please note that the Gorge Road UPCC is regularly scheduled to not operate on Sundays. The Gorge Road UPCC will resume regular operating hours on December 26, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.