Temporary urgent and primary care centre to open Monday in Esquimalt

An urgent and primary care centre (UPCC) will be opening in Esquimalt at a temporary location Monday.

The goal of the UPCC is to bring comprehensive team-based primary health care to Esquimalt and neighbouring communities, according to the province.

A press release from the province says the temporary health-care centre is expected to have a registered nurse, a registered nurse with a certified practice, mental health and substance-use consultant and two office staff.

It also says health care services will be for patients with minor ailments, people who need health screening, reproductive health services and support for those with chronic conditions and mild to moderate health challenges.

The temporary centre will open on June 14 at 530 Fraser Street and provide health-care services from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

The release says services will be provided by appointment only.

The UPCC will be leased and operated by Island Health, with capital funding from the Ministry of Health and the Capital Regional Health District, according to the province.

“This is a great new step for our community in Esquimalt,” said Mitzi Dean, MLA for Esquimalt-Metchosin in a press release Saturday. “Better access to primary care is much needed, and I know that this new UPCC will connect more people with the team-based health care they need, when they need it.”

The province says the UPCC will open in a permanent location in December 2021 at 890 Esquimalt Road.

The permanent location will have longer hours of operation to include evenings and weekends, and a full range of health care services including care for people who don’t need to go to the emergency department or specialized services.

The permanent centre will be supported by a team of health care professionals including family physicians, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, allied health professionals and office staff, according to the province.

“Embedding mental health and addictions care into UPCCs across B.C. is vital to removing stigma and barriers to care,” said Sheila Malcolmson, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions in the press release. “I’m encouraged that, along with so many other B.C. communities, people in Esquimalt and the surrounding area will now be able to connect to the mental health and addictions supports they need and deserve.”

The province says the UPCC will work to attach patients to a family physician or a nurse practicioner.

Five UPCCs have been announced in the Island Health region including Westshore, Nanaimo, James Bay, Esquimalt and North Quadra.

READ MORE: New primary care centres to serve ‘thousands of residents’ in Greater Victoria area

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