Seeing a doctor in Victoria is difficult, but it may be slightly easier with a new clinic open in Gorge Road Hospital.
On Monday, September 19th, a new urgent and primary care centre (UPCC) opened at the Gorge Road Hospital at 63 Gorge Road.
The Gorge Road Hospital does not host an emergency room like Victoria General or the Royal Jubilee, but Victorians will now have access to the Gorge UPCC.
The Gorge UPCC is opening gradually as to not be overwhelmed immediately, but it is currently providing a limited number of appointments for people in the Victoria area.
“Our government is committed to increasing and improving access to everyday primary health care throughout Victoria and the province,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health in a media release.
“The new urgent and primary care centre on the Gorge means that more people in the region will have expanded access to the team-based, comprehensive health care they need, when they need it.”
As the hiring process progresses at the Gorge UPCC, patients will eventually have access to health-care providers, including general practitioners, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, mental-health and substance-use clinicians, nursing unit aides and social workers.
“I’m proud of our government’s primary care strategy and the way that it’s bringing co-ordinated, comprehensive services closer to home for people in our community and across BC through initiatives like the new Gorge UPCC,”. said Rob Fleming, MLA for Victoria-Swan Lake.
According to the Ministry of Health, the new UPCC will serve two purposes:
- The first being to attach patients to the Gorge UPCC, meaning that they would have a family doctor based there. If they are unable to attach a patient due to workload, they will ensure the unattached patient receives an appropriate follow-up.
- The second being to assist patients who need to see a health-care provider within 12 to 24 hours but do not require an emergency department.
To receive day-of care from the Gorge UPCC, starting at 8 a.m. each day, people can call (250) 519-3800.
The Gorge UPCC marks the sixth UPCC in Greater Victoria, including one in downtown Victoria, Esquimalt, James Bay, North Quadra, the Westshore and now on Gorge Road.
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