New Urgent Care Centre Opens in Duncan, Enhancing Local Health Access

Residents of the Cowichan Valley now have enhanced access to healthcare with the opening of the new Urgent and Primary Care Centre (UPCC) in Duncan. Officially opened on March 15, 2024, the facility is located at 940 Government St. and aims to provide same-day urgent care alongside long-term primary care options for the local population.

Health Minister Josie Osborne emphasized the importance of this new centre, stating, “People in B.C. deserve timely, high-quality care that they and their families can depend on.” The UPCC, she noted, is especially vital for rural communities, ensuring that residents across the Cowichan Valley can access necessary healthcare closer to home.

Access to the UPCC will be appointment-based, requiring patients to be assessed by nurses or clinicians over the phone. The centre’s operating hours are from 08:00 to 20:00 daily for urgent appointments, with specific hours of 08:00 to 17:00 from Monday to Friday for patients attached through the Health Connect Registry.

Facility Features and Community Impact

The Cowichan UPCC is set to be staffed by over 30 full-time-equivalent healthcare professionals, including family physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, social workers, mental health clinicians, and administrative staff. MLA for Cowichan Valley, Debra Toporowski (Qwulti’stunaat), expressed her enthusiasm for the centre, highlighting its significance for local Indigenous communities such as the Cowichan Tribes, Penelakut Tribe, and others. She stated, “It is especially significant for the Cowichan Tribes and surrounding First Nations, who will have access to care that’s closer to their homes and communities.”

The facility features a multicultural room, 12 patient-exam rooms, and five consultation rooms dedicated to mental health, substance use, and social work support. This diversity in service offerings is designed to meet the varied needs of the community.

Funding for this project has been substantial, amounting to $6.9 million in annual provincial operating budget, along with $860,000 in startup funding. Additionally, the province contributed $5.4 million for facility improvements, with the Cowichan Valley Regional Hospital District providing $2.8 million for tenant enhancements.

Addressing Healthcare Shortages

The opening of the Cowichan UPCC comes at a critical time, as some rural areas continue to face significant shortages of family doctors. In Lake Cowichan, both physicians left their practices earlier in the year, leaving approximately 6,600 residents without primary care access. To address this urgent need, the community is working towards establishing a nurse practitioner-led clinic on Cowichan Lake Road.

Currently, this new clinic has a waitlist exceeding 1,000 patients. Until it becomes operational, volunteers are assisting residents by driving them to healthcare appointments in Duncan, which is a 30-minute journey each way.

The establishment of the Cowichan UPCC represents a significant step towards improving healthcare accessibility in the region, catering to the pressing needs of both local residents and Indigenous communities.