Urgent and Primary Care Centres

Urgent care for non-life-threatening medical concerns that need attention within 12 to 24 hours.

Visit an Urgent and Primary Care Centre (UPCC) for urgent, non-emergency care when you can’t get an appointment with a family doctor, nurse practitioner or walk-in clinic. People with the most urgent medical concerns are seen first.

If you need urgent care, your first step is to register as a patient.

1. Register as a patient

You will need your BC Services Card with your Personal Health Number. Choose one of these two ways to register:

• Call your nearest Urgent and Primary Care Centre (see below).
  or
• Go to your nearest Urgent and Primary Care Centre. Please note: Going to the Centre does not mean you will get help faster. People with the most urgent medical concerns are helped first. 

2. Speak to an urgent care nurse

After you register with a UPCC, the next step is to speak to an urgent care nurse. A nurse will call you on the phone within 24 hours. Most people are called within two hours. The nurse will ask you more questions about your health concern.

3. Get the care you need

The nurse may ask you to come to the Urgent and Primary Care Centre at a certain time to see a member of the care team. Or, the nurse may give you suggestions for how you can get the care you need.

Call 9-1-1 or go to the Emergency Department for serious symptoms like chest pain, head injuries or a broken bone.