Gorge Urgent and Primary Care Centre

Starting at 8 a.m. each day, people can call the Gorge Urgent and Primary Care Centre (1-833-688-8722) to arrange same day access to urgent care, as required.

SERVICES FOR PATIENTS

The UPCC offers a variety of urgent and primary care services.

Our health care team includes:

• Family Physicians
• Nurse Practitioner
• Registered nurses who can provide:
  • Diagnosis and treatment for minor acute illness related to:
    • Genitourinary (i.e. urinary tract infection, sexually transmitted infection)
  • Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) care including prevention, vaccination, testing, treatment, and support 
  • Pregnancy testing and supported decision-making for unexpected pregnancies
  • Cervical cancer screening (pap smear)
  • Wound care
  • Vaccines (call to inquire)
  • Chronic disease & lifestyle management
  • Ear syringing
  • Harm reduction supplies and education
  • Suture removal
  • Referral to community health services
  • Prescribed injections (call to inquire)

Mental health and substance use consultants and registered social workers, offering:

• Single session therapy
• Brief solution focused counselling
• Psychological and emotional support
• Paperwork, referral and advocacy
• Access to Mental Health Assessment

Everyone is welcome to access the Gorge Urgent & Primary Care Centre (UPCC). The UPCC is open to anyone who needs care for urgent medical conditions requiring attention within 12-24 hours and does not have a family physician or nurse practitioner.  

You can also contact:

• The Esquimalt UPCC located at 890 Esquimalt Road (250-519-3880)
• The Downtown Victoria UPCC located at 1107 Pandora Ave (1-833-688-8722)
• The James Bay UPCC located at Unit B - 547 Michigan St (1-833-688-8722)
• The North Quadra UPCC located at 100 – 4420 Chatterton Way (1-833-688-8722)

When possible, please telephone the UPCCs prior to your visit.

What you need to know

Urgent Care

• Urgent care (same day) services are for people who need care within 12-24 hours but do not require an emergency department and who do not have access to a family doctor, nurse practitioner or walk-in clinic in a suitable time frame.
• Patients experiencing chest pains, severe head injuries or broken bones and any concerns requiring immediate blood testing, x-rays or other diagnostic tests cannot be treated at the UPCC and should attend their local hospital’s emergency department or call 9-1-1 during a health emergency.
• To prevent people from having to line-up each morning, we have a phone-in process to access urgent care:
• Starting at 8 a.m. each day, people can call the Gorge Urgent and Primary Care Centre (1-833-688-8722) to be put on the list to access primary care services, as required. 
• Urgent Care hours are 8 a.m. – 8 p.m., Monday to Sunday (seven days a week).
• Only patients who do not have access to a telephone can attend the UPCC in person at 8 a.m. but cannot expect an appointment preferentially.
• Please note that due to patient volumes, appointments are not guaranteed. Please check medimap.ca for wait times and capacity.

Attachment to Primary Care Provider

• The G UPCC will be taking clients from the Health Connect Registry. Register yourself, your family, or a person in your care. Visit the Victoria Health Connect Registry webpage to sign up and learn more about finding a primary care provider in your community.

What does Attachment Mean?

• When someone is attached, they have a designated primary care provider in a clinic who does follow up and storage of their confidential medical records.
• Attachment will not be based solely on a first come, first served basis. Considerations of patients’ medical needs and complexity will be taken into account. Attachment criteria and wait times are subject to change.
• When a patient is attached to the Gorge UPCC they can make regular, non-urgent appointments with their dedicated Primary Health Care Provider. 

Right Care, Right Place 

To help you choose the right care for yourself or a loved one, here’s a guide to help you know where to go based on your healthcare needs. 

Right Care Right Place Infographic

Doctor's or Nurse Practitioner's Office

Your primary care provider should be your first call in non-emergency situations. Your provider knows you and your health history, including which medications you are taking and what chronic conditions might need to be considered in your treatment.  Same day appointments may be available - ask your provider. 

• If your provider is unavailable or if you don’t have a provider, try a walk-in clinic or Urgent and Primary Care Centre (UPCC).
• Call 8-1-1 for trusted health advice at HealthLinkBC.

Walk-in Clinic

If you have an illness that is not an emergency – like a sinus infection or minor sprain or strain – and you cannot get in to see your primary care provider, local walk-in clinics are available for same-day care.

Emergency Department

Emergency departments are designed to treat urgent, acute and life-threatening conditions and aren’t the place for routine care or minor ailments. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 9-1-1 or go to your hospital emergency department right away. 

Mental health or Substance Use Concern

Call a crisis line:

Vancouver Island Crisis Line available 24/7 at 1-888-494-3888

KUU-US Crisis Line for Indigenous People available 24/7 at 1-800-588-8717

Any one of these healthcare professionals will help you get the information you need to manage your health concerns, or those of your family.

Still unsure where to go?

HealthLinkBC offers 8-1-1, a free provincial health information and advice phone line available for residents of British Columbia.

By calling 8-1-1, you can speak to a health service navigator, who can help you find health information and services; or connect you directly with a registered nurse, a registered dietitian, a qualified exercise professional, or a pharmacist. Any one of these healthcare professionals will help you get the information you need to manage your health concerns, or those of your family.

Other Health Centres and Primary Care Clinics in the Greater Victoria Area:

Urgent and Primary Care Centres

• James Bay Urgent Primary Care Centre – Victoria
• Westshore Urgent Primary Care Centre – Langford 
• Esquimalt Urgent Primary Care Centre – Esquimalt
• Downtown Victoria Urgent and Primary Care Centre - Victoria 
• North Quadra Urgent and Primary Care Centre – Saanich

Community Health Centres

• Island Sexual Health Community Health Centre – Victoria (see website for more details about accessing services)