Port Moody, BC – September 9, 2025 – Residents of the Tri-Cities and New Westminster will soon have faster access to skin health assessments through a unique CheckMark Clinic at Inlet Pharmacy (50 Electronic Ave, Port Moody, BC).

This community clinic is designed for patients with suspicious moles or skin lesions. While typical wait times to see a dermatologist in-office can be three months or longer, this service offers a much faster option for evaluation – covered entirely by MSP.

At the clinic, a trained medical photographer will take high-quality standardized images of up to two areas of concern. These images are reviewed remotely by a local dermatologist from Spectrum Dermatology. Patients will not see a dermatologist in person during the clinic, but both the patient and their primary care provider will receive results by email within one week of their clinic visit.

To participate, residents must obtain a referral from their family physician or nurse practitioner. Referrals can be submitted online through the CheckMark website. Patients will receive a link to self-book their appointment once their referral has been accepted. 

From the Physician:

"Every day in the clinic, I hear heartbreaking stories from patients who’ve waited years to have suspicious spots checked. In some cases, these turn out to be melanomas or advanced skin cancers. The reality is that skin cancer is highly treatable when caught early. My hope is that this service introduces a better model for early detection and timely care in our province."

Patient feedback has been largely positive, with one patient saying, 

“I appreciated the fact that everything was so clearly explained every step of the way. You do everything to take a very stressful situation and make it less stressful. Thank you”

Clinic Dates:

• September 21, 2025
• September 28, 2025 
• October 5, 2025 
• Additional clinic days will be scheduled based on demand  

 

Location: Inlet Pharmacy, 50 Electronic Ave, Port Moody, BC V3H 0L9
Cost: Covered by MSP with referral

To learn more, visit the CheckMark website here.

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The Fraser Northwest Division of Family Practice is one of 35 divisions in British Columbia that make up the BC Divisions of Family Practice, an initiative of the Family Practice Services Committee, a partnership between the Province of B.C. and Doctors of B.C. The Fraser Northwest Division of Family Practice currently has over 450 members that provide primary care services in Anmore, Belcarra, Coquitlam, New Westminster, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody.

The Fraser Northwest Division of Family Practice received funding from Shared Care, a joint collaborative committee between Doctors of BC and the province of B.C to support quality improvement activities related to this initiative. This initiative was started in response to growing demands and long wait times to access dermatology care in the region. With input and collaboration between dermatologists and primary care providers, the initiative established a streamlined pathway to improve timely access to care for patients. 

 

Links

Fraser Northwest Division
Spectrum Dermatology
Referral form
Checkmark Website

 

Media Contact
Fraser Northwest Division of Family Practice
communications@fnwdivision.ca