Community Health Services

Community Health Services provide a range of home and community-based clinical, personal care, and supportive services to help patients live safely and independently, reduce hospital use, and support care transitions.  

Call the Practitioner Connector Line to start a referral over the phone, no referral form needed. 

  • Centre Island: 250-739-5922 

  • North Island: 250-331-8060 

  • South Island: 250-519-5282 

Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (After hours, calls are redirected to Community Access)
 

When you call, the Practitioner Connector will: 

  • Review your patient’s clinical and functional needs 

  • Clarify your goals for care 

  • Connect to the right service or team 

  • Start the referral right away.  No referral form needed. 
     

Practitioner Connectors can: 

  • Process referrals for home care (nursing, palliative care, home support, physical rehabilitation) 

  • Connect you to your patient’s community health team 

  • Refer to case management for ongoing care, assisted living, or long-term care 

  • Refer to Geriatric Specialty Services 

  • Identify other community and private resources 

  • Help when you’re not sure what your patient needs 
     

Call the Practitioner Connectors when your patient: 

  • Needs support after hospital discharge 

  • Is at risk of decline at home 

  • Has complex or chronic health needs 

  • Needs rehabilitation, nursing, or home support 

  • May require palliative or end-of-life care 

  • Needs assessment for longer-term care options 

 

Case Management 

Case Managers assess eligibility, needs, function, risk, and available supports to determine appropriate services, develop care plans, and coordinate care. They also support transitions between hospital, home, assisted living, and long-term care. 

Clinical Care in the Home 

For patients who require medical or therapeutic care at home and may not be able to attend clinic-based services. 

  • Home Care Nursing: Wound care (skin tears due to fragility, diabetic foot ulcers and lower leg wounds, post-surgical wound, pressure ulcers, ostomy and nephrostomy care), IV therapy, medication management, post-hospital care, palliative care, and more 

  • Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy: Support for mobility, functional decline, physical disability, recovery, safety, and fall prevention 

  • Respiratory Therapy: Support for chronic and complex respiratory conditions 

  • Dietitian Services: Help with nutrition concerns including swallowing difficulties, tube feeding, and nutrition needs related to dementia, mental health, recovery, or palliative care 

  • Social Work: Psychosocial support, safety concerns, adult abuse and neglect (Adult Guardianship Act) and care planning 

Personal Care and Daily Living Support (Home Support) 

For patients who need help with activities of daily living 

  • Home Support (Community Health Workers): Help with bathing, dressing, heating and serving simple meals, medication assistance, and other daily care needs provided in the client’s home. CHS does not provide help with housekeeping, groceries, driving, or nail/foot care. 

  • Community Bathing Programs: Facility-based bathing support for people who cannot bathe safely at home.  

Remote Monitoring and Virtual Care  

Community Virtual Care: For patients who can be supported remotely via telephone.  

  • Chronic disease support and education for CKD, COPD, Heart Failure, Hypertension, Diabetes (type 2 and pre-diabetes) 

  • Acute illness monitoring (e.g., influenza, COVID-19, heat-related illness and wildfire smoke inhalation) 

  • Short-term, post-acute discharge support  

  • Supportive care and education for early stages of a life-limiting illness  

  • Caregiver support  

Palliative and End-of-Life Care

For patients with life-limiting illness requiring comfort-focused care. 

  • Short-term symptom management and nursing support in the home 

  • Coordination with hospice and end-of-life services 

  • Support for patients and families 

Caregiver Support and Respite 

For caregivers who need support, education, or temporary relief from caregiving responsibilities. 

  • Adult Day Programs: Safe and supported activities outside of the home 

  • Caregiver Support Program: One-to-one counselling and skills classes 

  • Home Support (Community Health Workers): Bathing, dressing, medication assistance, and help with other daily care needs provided in the client’s home 

Long-Term Care and Assisted Living Assessments 

For patients whose needs can no longer be safely supported at home 

Specialized Programs and Populations 

  • Health Services for Community Living (HSCL): Supports adults with developmental disabilities with care planning and ongoing health needs 

  • Brain Injury Program: Community-based rehabilitation and functional support 

  • Choices in Supports for Independent Living (CSIL): funds are provided to eligible clients to purchase and then manage their own home support services 

  • South Island Regional Resources for Adults with Disabilities (RRAD): Specialized support for adults with complex neurological health conditions (South Island only) 

Please note: Services and programs vary between communities.  

Eligibility and Costs 

Eligibility depends on a client’s health conditions, how much support they currently have, and what they need help with. Call the Practitioner Connector Line for assessment and referral to services.  

To receive services, clients must 

  • Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or have a valid temporary resident permit 

  • Be a resident of British Columbia 

Service and program availability may vary by region.