Last updated: October 15, 2024
Primary care is often the first contact you have with the health system. It is usually delivered by family doctors or nurse practitioners. You can access primary care services and providers through your local Primary Care Network (PCN).
Within a PCN, teams of providers work together so that all your care is coordinated. Primary care includes things like renewing a prescription, getting a routine health checkup or getting support to manage a chronic disease.
Settings where you may receive care include Family Practice Clinics, Urgent and Primary Care Centres, Nurse Practitioner Primary Care Clinics, First Nations Led Primary Care Centres, Foundry Centres, Community Health Centres and other health clinics.
Primary Care Networks are being established throughout B.C. See all of the primary health care services available in your PCN.
The Health Connect Registry helps connect you and your family to a family doctor or nurse practitioner in your community.
Find walk-in clinics, emergency rooms, hospitals, mental health programs, home care programs, pharmacy services, laboratory services and more.
Call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1 to speak with a health service navigator, registered nurse, registered dietitian, qualified exercise professional or pharmacist.
Primary health care settings in B.C.
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Family Practice Clinics -
Urgent and Primary Care Centres -
Nurse Practitioner Primary Care Clinics -
Walk-in Clinics -
Foundry Centres
Family Practice Clinics are a community-based setting where individuals and families receive most of their everyday healthcare.
At family practice clinics, patients receive care from their family doctor or nurse practitioner, and their teams. Family practice clinics provide comprehensive care for patients throughout their entire life, from infancy to senior years. This may include care for chronic diseases, disease prevention, reproductive and sexual health, mental health and other physical health concerns.
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Urgent and Primary Care Centres (UPCCs) provide access to same-day, urgent, non-emergency primary health care.
UPCCs provide care for non-life-threatening illness or injury that require medical attention within 12 to 24 hours. They are often open during evenings, weekends and statutory holidays (actual hours vary by clinic). UPCCs provide care for concerns like minor injuries, sprains and strains, infections, less serious child illness and injury, fevers, asthma attacks, cuts, wounds or skin conditions.
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Nurse practitioner primary care clinics are a unique model of care developed and led by nurse practitioners.
Within these clinics, team-based care is provided by nurse practitioners, registered nurses and allied health professionals such as mental health counsellors. They work together to support the everyday health care needs of patients over the course of their life.
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Walk-in clinics provide access to non-urgent medical care for people who need health advice, assessment and treatment for minor illness and injuries.
Walk-in clinics deal with various health problems and are often open in the evenings and weekends. Usually, you do not need an appointment.
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Foundry Centres offer mental health, substance use, primary care, peer supports, and social services for those ages 12 to 24 and their families.
To better support the needs of young people, Foundry centres integrate youth mental health and substance use care into Primary Care Networks and are a primary care provider within the networks. Foundry Centres offer services in five areas: mental health, substance use, primary care, youth and family peer support and social services.
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