On October 16, with a cool breeze, mixed clouds, and no rain, over 75 people came together to take part in and witness the blessing of the new Cowichan Urgent and Primary Care Centre (Cowichan UPCC) lands and facility. In keeping with the joint visioning and realization of this care centre, this ceremony was a collaboration between Cowichan Tribes, the area Indigenous Advisory Council, Island Health, the Cowichan Division of Family Practice, and many other community partners.
Better than words, the Blessing Ceremony video, captured by our Island Health Digital Media team shows the care, attention, and cultural blessing received on October 16th. To create a culturally safe space for all to access care is a primary goal with this work and the project team is pleased to share this video. We invite you to watch with good energy and open heart.
Video link: Here
Starting October 20, people living in Duncan and the surrounding communities have increased access to primary care. The new Island Health operated Cowichan UPCC will provide urgent access to primary care services and eventually primary-care attachment. Josie Osborne, Minister of Health shared, “The new Cowichan UPCC is vital for rural communities in the area and means people living throughout the Cowichan Valley will have increased access to same-day team-based primary care closer to home."
“We are excited to open this new urgent and primary care centre in the Island Health region," said Leah Hollins, Board Chair, Island Health. “This UPCC represents a significant step forward in enhancing primary care for Cowichan residents, offering comprehensive services and wraparound supports from a dedicated team of health-care professionals."
People who need urgent (12-24hrs) access to primary care can call 1 (833) 688-8722 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., seven days a week, to book at appointment at the Cowichan UPCC, located at 940 Government St. in Duncan. The space includes a multi-cultural room, twelve patient-examination rooms and five patient-consultation rooms for mental-health and social worker support. As hiring progresses, people will be cared for by more than thirty full-time-equivalent health-care providers, such as family physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, social workers, mental-health clinicians, administrative staff, and others. The province committed funding of $5.4 million, along with the Cowichan Valley Regional Hospital District contribution of $2.8 million, to complete this building and has provided operational and one time start up funding of $7.7 million.
“The opening of an urgent and primary care centre in the heart of our region is fantastic news for the Cowichan Valley," said Kate Segall, Chair, Cowichan Valley Regional Hospital District. “Unfortunately, many people still don't have a family doctor and accessing health services has been extremely challenging for many of our residents in recent years. This investment will provide a new opportunity for people to access medical services, including specific support for mental health, which is so critical for our communities."
Including Cowichan, ten UPCCs are operating in the Island Health region, along with two primary care access clinics in Campbell River and one the Saanich Peninsula. Sustained and improved access to team-based episodic primary care is part of our Island Health outcome goals for 2025/26 and part B.C.'s Primary Care Strategy, which is working to bring more team-based primary care services to people in B.C.
Further information: