BC NDP commits to new urgent and primary care centres on Vancouver Island

The BC NDP have announced that, if re-elected, they would commit to opening a new urgent and primary care centre (UPCC) in south Cowichan, and another in the Cowichan Valley. 

This latest campaign promise from David Eby’s party seeks to give more people access to timely care while helping ease pressure on hospital emergency departments.

UPCCs are clinics that provide patients with care for non-emergency health concerns that require prompt attention. 

Services include treatment for minor injuries, infections, sprains, cuts and other common illnesses that do not require an emergency department visit.

“When you or someone in your family needs medical care, you want to know there’s somewhere to go,” said Dana Lajeunesse, BC NDP candidate for Juan de Fuca–Malahat. 

“A new Urgent and Primary Care Centre would give more people in our community a place to turn for same-day care, without having to wait days for an appointment or spending time at the emergency department.”

Currently, Mill Bay, Shawnigan Lake and Cobble Hill do not have easy access to a UPCC, and have to travel to Duncan or Colwood to access care. 

Often, UPCCs are entirely booked up just moments after opening as residents have to call for an appointment at the clinic’s opening time. 

David Eby’s healthcare platform aims to build on the 48 UPCCs that are open across BC. 

Over the last week, Eby’s BC NDP also committed to new UPCCs to be located in the Cowichan Valley, Greater Victoria, Port Hardy and in the Courtenay/Comox area. 

“People deserve options for getting health care when they need it, without having to wait days for an appointment or turn to the emergency department,” said Debra Toporowski, BC NDP candidate for Cowichan Valley. 

“A new UPCC would help fill that gap by providing same-day care in the community, and make it easier for more people to get timely care close to home.”

In addition to these new UPCC commitments on Vancouver Island, the BC NDP have pledged to establish new clinics in Oliver, North Vancouver, South Vancouver, Langley, Penticton, Parksville, Kitimat, Terrace and Richmond.

The BC Green Party has been advocating for a shift away from health authority-run UPCCs and would replace the model with a proposed network of integrated, team-based community health centres (CHCs).

Emily Lowan’s BC Greens have pledged to open a CHC in every riding if elected. 

The Conservative Party of BC have not made any commitments to establish new clinics in the province, but instead hope to launch a commission that would import healthcare solutions from other jurisdictions. 

Though BC Conservative leader Lorne Doerkson has been accused of wanting to privatize healthcare in BC, he has firmly asserted he does not wish to do so.