Island Health is expanding the hours and adding services to the Comox Valley After Hours Urgent Care Clinic.
The clinic, located in the Comox Valley Nursing Centre at 615 10th St., is now open Monday to Friday, 1 p.m. to 9 p.m., and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends and statutory holidays. This represents an additional 34 hours of clinic time per week compared to previous operating hours.
The clinic is also adding:
• 3 full time equivalent registered nurses;
• 2.7 full time equivalent physicians/nurse practitioners;
• New social work and mental health services.
“People living in the Comox Valley and surrounding areas will directly benefit from the expanded services and increased hours at the after-hours urgent care clinic,” said Minister of Health Adrian Dix. “These additions will also lighten impacts on the North Island hospital emergency department and reduce wait times for patients. We are dedicated to ensuring people throughout B.C. get the health care they need, where and when they need it.”
The After Hours Urgent Care Clinic was established in 2021 by the Comox Valley Division of Family Practice, in partnership with Island Health, as a community response to expand access to evening and weekend urgent primary care during the COVID-19 pandemic. In May 2023, the clinic was relocated from the Washington Park Medical Clinic in Superstore to the nursing centre and Island Health assumed ownership and operations.
“Since May 2023, the Comox Valley After Hours Urgent Care Clinic has supported more than 3,200 patient visits,” said James Hanson, Island Health’s vice-president, clinical services, acute care north & community services. “The collaborative work between Island Health and our partners is benefitting patients and taking pressure off of our hospital by giving people a more appropriate option when they need urgent care but don’t require a trip to an emergency department.”
While this is not a walk-in service, the clinic offers same-day appointments whenever possible. To book an appointment, call 250-331-8099. While this is not a walk-in service, the clinic offers same-day appointments whenever possible.
“It’s great news that people will be able to better access health care as the Comox Valley After Hours Urgent Care Clinic adds more health-care providers, longer clinic hours and expanded services,” said Ronna-Rae Leonard, MLA for Courtenay-Comox. “With this additional capacity, more people in the Comox Valley region will receive timely care close to home, and enjoy a higher quality of life.”