Esquimalt UPCC opens at permanent new location (flickr.com)

Media Contacts

Ministry of Health

Communications
250 952-1887 (media line)

Island Health

Communications
250 370-8908 (media line)

Backgrounders

What people are saying about the Esquimalt UPCC

Leah Hollins, board chair, Island Health –

“We are delighted the permanent Esquimalt Urgent and Primary Care Centre is now open. We are grateful to our partners and to the dedicated Esquimalt UPCC team who have been working tirelessly to prepare the new site to receive patients and provide comprehensive, compassionate, culturally safe urgent and primary care.”

Dr. Matthew Chow, president, Doctors of BC –

“We look forward to the integration of Esquimalt Urgent and Primary Care Centre in hopes it will strengthen primary care in the community. Doctors of BC has a strong interest in ensuring people have access to the health-care services they need. We also emphasize the importance of measures that strengthen the long-term relationships between patients and their family doctor. These relationships have been shown to improve health outcomes, help avoid preventable illness and reduce the cost of health care.” 

Michael Sandler, executive director, Association of Nurses and Nurse Practitioners of BC –

“Nurses and nurse practitioners of B.C. are pleased to see that the knowledge, skills and expertise of the entire health-care team will be utilized to improve access to health care for all British Columbians through urgent and primary care clinics. We believe that this approach will be pivotal in ensuring B.C. families can access health-care services, and we are excited to see the opening of another urgent and primary care clinic in B.C."

Denise Blackwell, chair, Capital Regional Hospital District (CRHD) –

“The CRHD is pleased to see the Esquimalt UPCC creating more care options that are needed in our communities and is proud to contribute as part of our commitment to improving and sustaining health infrastructure in the region.”

Dr. Vanessa Young, board chair, South Island Division of Family Practice –

"The South Island Division of Family Practice is pleased that an urgent and primary care centre has opened in Esquimalt. We anticipate the new health-care professionals at the Esquimalt UPCC will fill part of the longitudinal primary-care gap in the South Island. As a key resource in advancing our primary care strategy within South Island Division communities; we look forward to working closely with our health authority, the Ministry of Health, local First Nations and patient partners.”

Layton Engwer, patient partner –

“This permanent centre will provide non-emergency care for our residents and evolve to attach citizens once the clinic is fully staffed. It will come to a point that we will not have to travel to other communities to see a physician/nurse practitioner or a member of the clinic’s health team. This in turn will reduce our trips to the emergency and long waits to be treated for a concern, which is less than life threatening.”