James Bay Urgent and Primary Care Centre

Starting at 8:30 a.m. each day, people can call the James Bay Urgent and Primary Care Centre (1-833-688-8722) to arrange same day access to urgent care, as required.

SERVICES FOR PATIENTS

Services for Patients

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

Our health care team includes:

• Family physicians
• 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 James Bay Urgent & Primary Care Centre (UPCC). The UPCC is open to anyone who needs care for urgent medical conditions requiring attention within 12-24 hours.

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 North Quadra UPCC located at 100 – 4420 Chatterton Way (1-833-688-8722)
• Gorge Urgent and Primary Care Centre – 63 Gorge Road E (250-519-3800)

Mental Health and Substance Use Counselling is available through the James Bay Urgent and Primary Care Centre. Our team is able to assist with a wide range of concerns and is offering virtual and phone consultations. Appointments are recommended; please call the clinic to schedule a consultation.

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. 
• Urgent Care hours are 8:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m., seven days a week.   
• Patients who do not have access to a telephone can attend the UPCC in person and from 8:30 a.m. will be added to the registration queue when they arrive.
• 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 JB 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
• Clients currently signed up for the JB UPCC waitlist will retain their position in the queue. 

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 James Bay UPCC they can make regular, non-urgent appointments with their dedicated Primary Health Care Provider. 

How long do I have to wait to find out if I get attached to the James Bay UPCC?

• Attachment wait times will vary and are dependent on availability of Primary Care Providers. Please do not contact the clinic to enquire about wait times as staff will not be able to provide an estimate. 
• In the meantime, we urge patients to continue to visit the clinic for urgent primary care, as needed.

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 your healthcare needs. 

Right Care Right Place Infographic

Doctors' or Nurse Practitioners' 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

• North Quadra Urgent Primary Care Centre – Saanich
• Westshore Urgent Primary Care Centre – Langford 
• Esquimalt Urgent Primary Care Centre – Esquimalt
• Downtown Victoria Urgent and Primary Care Centre – Victoria
• Gorge Urgent and Primary Care Centre – Victoria  

Community Health Centres

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