Posted on: November 6, 2023
It's been five years since the Westshore Urgent Primary Care Centre (WUPCC) opened its doors, filling a primary care niche in the community and receiving more than 114,000 patient visits. The WUPCC team includes physicians, registered nurses, mental health and substance use (MHSU) consultants, and a social worker who work together to provide Westshore residents with a variety of conditions with urgent access to primary care.
“I love that we have a team and a facility that can manage a variety of patient conditions," said Dr. Bruce Wong, a physician at the WUPCC. “It's nice being able to fulfill this role."
“The staff here is fantastic, so helpful and willing to answer all my questions," said Lora Nemeth, a registered nurse who recently joined the WUPCC team. “This place truly exemplifies team based care. It's a great place to work."
Gordon Oystrek is a familiar face at WUPCC. The Langford resident currently doesn't have a family doctor and relies on public transit to get around. When he needs care, he visits the WUPCC where staff know him by name.
“The quality of care that I have received goes above and beyond. The staff are absolutely wonderful," said Oystrek. “If I need medical care it is nice to know there is a team of friendly professionals to help me out."
During certain points during the COVID-19 pandemic, the WUPCC was one of the only medical clinics where patients saw primary care providers in person. The team had to be innovative in order to ensure staff and patients remained safe.
“We triaged people in a shed, under a tent, and assessed people in their vehicles," said Tara Murley, WUPCC Office Coordinator. “We did what we needed to do to provide the care that was required. It was amazing."
“I am incredibly proud of the work we do with this crew – they are people you would choose to have as friends, they are colleagues you trust, they are our teachers and our supporters," said Murley. “It feels good at the end of the day to say everyone has done their very best to see as many patients as we possibly could and many of those patients didn't end up at the emergency department."
The Westshore Urgent Primary Care Centre is located at 582 Goldstream Avenue, Victoria and open from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m., seven days a week.