Exciting to join Premier Eby, Courtenay-Comox MLA Ronna-Ray Leonard, Mayors Bob Wells, Nicole Minions, and Vickey Brown for the announcement of a new Urgent Primary Care Centre (UPCC) in Courtenay last week. The facility is temporarily located at the Comox Valley Nursing Centre although, there is a commitment for a permanent location going forward. Care will be available within 12 to 24 hours for things like cuts, wounds, skin conditions, mild infections, moderate back or abdominal pain, minor injuries and depression.
Ronna-Rae worked hard for this Centre which follows the success of local recruitment of physicians and nurse practitioners, greatly reducing the numbers of people without a family doctor. The facility takes pressure off the emergency room and give ER doctors a place to discharge patients and ensure care after their acute needs are addressed. Since the implementation of the BC NDP primary-care strategy in 2018, 35 UPCCs have been opened serving 2.7 million people across the province.
