Province announces new urgent care centre in East Vancouver
Posted July 17, 2019 2:18 pm.
Last Updated July 17, 2019 2:54 pm.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – At a press conference on Wednesday, the B.C. government announced a second urgent and primary care centre will be opening in Vancouver.
The new services at REACH Community Health Centre, set to open on Commercial Drive in August, will help to further relieve the pressure on local hospitals and overflowing walk-in clinics, Doctors of BC President Kathleen Ross said.
“In the short term, we ensure that patients don’t fall through healthcare gaps or cracks in the system and that they have a healthier quality of life,” Ross said. “In the longer term, we ensure that patients have a healthier life and we maintain a healthcare system that is actually sustainable.”
Proud to be w/ Premier @jjhorgan, @melaniejmark + @ShaneLSimpson for announcement of 2nd urgent and primary care centre in #YVR so that ppl in #EastVan can access better + faster primary care. @VCHhealthcare @DoctorsOfBC @VDoFP @nnp_bc @REACHCHC #bchealth https://t.co/aRz0jHpdCH pic.twitter.com/5nVk5jwhzN
— Adrian Dix (@adriandix) July 17, 2019
Health Minister Adrian Dix said the centre will give people in the community access to all kinds of treatment.
“Doctors and nurse practitioners, Registered Nurses and LPNs, medical office assistants, people who work with people with mental health and addictions, social workers and others here, part of it providing an additional element of team-based care,” he said.
The centre will be open between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. from Monday to Saturday, and 9 to 5 on Sundays. It will treat non-life-threatening conditions, minor illnesses, and provide blood tests and X-rays. The centre is expected to cost approximately $2.65 million annually to staff and operate.
The province says 40 per cent of visits made to emergency rooms could be dealt with at urgent primary care centres.
