Tuesday October 21, 2025 | DUNCAN, BC [Posted 2:12 am | Updated 10:48 am]
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
People living in Duncan and surrounding communities will have increased access to team-based primary care through the new Cowichan Urgent and Primary Care Centre (UPCC).
“People in B.C. deserve timely, high-quality care that they and their families can depend on,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health.
“This new UPCC is vital for rural communities in the area and means people living throughout the Cowichan Valley will have increased access to same-day primary health care closer to home,” said Osborne in a Ministry of Health news release yesterday.
The Cowichan UPCC — which opened yesterday, October 20 — will provide urgent care and, eventually primary-care attachment using a team-based model.
By appointment only:
Access to the Cowichan UPCC is by appointment only and is based on need, with a nurse or clinician assessing patients over the phone to ensure they receive the right care at the right time.
People who need access to urgent primary care can call between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., seven days a week, to book at appointment at the Cowichan UPCC, located at 940 Government Street in Duncan. That’s not too far from Cowichan District Hospital.
Additionally, patients who are attached to the primary-care team through the Health Connect Registry will be seen between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday to Friday.
Care close to home:
“This new UPCC is great news for people living in and around Duncan,” said Debra Toporowski (Qwulti’stunaat), MLA for Cowichan Valley and parliamentary secretary for rural health.
“It is especially significant for the Cowichan Tribes, Penelakut Tribe, Halalt, Lyackson, Stz’uminus, Malahat, Ts’uubaa-asatx and Ditidaht First Nations, who will have access to care that’s closer to their homes and communities.”
Toporowski highlighted the new Cowichan UPCC in her remarks in the BC Legislative Assembly today.
Hiring still in progress:
As hiring progresses, people will be cared for by more than 30 full-time-equivalent health-care providers, such as family physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, social workers, mental-health clinicians, administrative staff and others.
“We are excited to open this new urgent and primary care centre in the Island Health region,” said Leah Hollins, board chair, Island Health. “This UPCC represents a significant step forward in enhancing primary care for Cowichan residents, offering comprehensive services and wraparound supports from a dedicated team of health-care professionals.”
Many still without a family doctor:
“The opening of an urgent and primary-care centre in the heart of our region is fantastic news for the Cowichan Valley,” said Kate Segall, chair, Cowichan Valley Regional Hospital District.
“Unfortunately, many people still don’t have a family doctor and accessing health services has been extremely challenging for many of our residents in recent years. This investment will provide a new opportunity for people to access medical services, including specific support for mental-health and addiction, which is so critical for our communities.”
Operated by Island Health:
The Cowichan UPCC is in a new building operated by Island Health. The space includes a multi-cultural room, 12 patient-examination rooms and five patient-consultation rooms for mental-health and substance-use support, as well as social worker support.
Government funding:
The Province has committed to ongoing operational funding of as much as $6.9 million and startup funding of $860,000. Additionally, the Province is funding $5.4 million for tenant improvements, with the Cowichan Valley Regional Hospital District contributing $2.8 million.
Now 42 UPCCs in BC:
This UPCC marks the 42nd UPCC to open in the province since 2018, which have delivered more than three million patient visits. Planning for eight more UPCCs is underway, with the goal of establishing 50 UPCCs throughout B.C. This work is part of B.C.’s Primary Care Strategy, which is bringing more team-based primary-care services to people in B.C.
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