A new initiative in Greater Victoria and Nanaimo is reshaping how non-urgent medical issues are handled, with paramedics now responding to 911 calls in minivans instead of traditional ambulances.
The “Link and Referral Unit” (LARU) program, launched by BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS), aims to provide lower-acuity patients with timely care in settings other than emergency departments.
Introduced as a pilot program in 2020, LARU has expanded across the province, including 18 response units in total, with six partnering urgent and primary care centres (UPCCs) in Victoria. Ongoing discussions are also taking place to extend the program to Nanaimo.
When 911 is dialed, calls are triaged by emergency medical call-takers, and secondary triage paramedics assess whether a LARU is the most appropriate response.
If so, a paramedic in a minivan is dispatched to perform a clinical assessment and transport patients to facilities like UPCCs, community health centres, pharmacies, or, when necessary, an emergency department.
“The main goal for LARU paramedics is to link non-urgent 911 patients with the most appropriate care within the health care system,” said Kayla Welwood, Manager of Low Acuity and Integrated Care at BCEHS.
“There are so many phenomenal services beyond emergency departments, and it only makes sense to synergize them whenever possible.”
The partnership between LARU and UPCCs, which began in May 2024, has already helped 84 patients in Greater Victoria, including a tourist who was able to receive care for an injury at a UPCC instead of the emergency department.
“It was a really positive experience for them to feel like they were well supported along their unexpected medical journey,” said LARU paramedic Tamara Tulloch.
Dr. Kimberley Cameron, a physician at the Westshore UPCC, believes the program will help reduce the pressure on emergency departments over time. “I believe that in time, our collaboration with LARU teams can decrease the number of patients transported to emergency departments.”
Those with non-urgent issues are encouraged to contact UPCCs directly, while emergencies should still be directed to 911.
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