Island Health announced on Thursday, December 21st that some urgent and primary care centres (UPCCs) in Victoria will be closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day as well as New Year’s.
They say the UPCCs resources are being consolidated in an effort to have ample staff prepared to work and avoid any last-minute closures during the holidays.
Below are the hours Victoria’s UPCCs will be open during these holidays:
- December 24
- The Gorge, James Bay, North Quadra and Westshore UPCCs will be open regular hours until 8 p.m.
- The Downtown Victoria and Esquimalt UPCCs will close at 4 p.m.
- December 25
- The Downtown Victoria, North Quadra, Gorge, and Westshore UPCCs will be open regular hours 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- The James Bay and Esquimalt UPCCs will be closed all day.
- December 31
- The Gorge, James Bay, North Quadra and Westshore UPCCs will be open regular hours until 8 p.m.
- The Downtown Victoria and Esquimalt UPCCs will close at 4 p.m.
Island Health advises anyone needing the services of a UPCC on December 25th to call the listed centres because additional staff will be on hand to help handle the anticipated higher patient volume.
All sites will have physicians working on Christmas Day as well as physicians who can provide virtual consults when required.
If you are unable to get into one of these care centres, individuals seeking care may have to resort to visiting an emergency department.
If it is an emergency, they say to call 911 for immediate assistance.
Island Health advises calling 811 if unsure whether a medical situation requires seeking a physician’s care.
 in Victoria will be closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day as well as New Year’s.){kind=link}