Looking for a Family Practitioner
With the current shortage of practitioners in Kootenay Boundary and across BC, people are finding it hard to find a family doctor or nurse practitioner. We encourage you to follow the steps below to help access the care you need.
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Register to Find a Family Practitioner at kbhcr.ca: The Health Connect Registry is the most efficient way to find a family doctor or nurse practitioner in the region. Once registered, you'll be contacted directly when a primary care provider is available. Please refrain from contacting clinics directly. For equity & efficiency, clinics are working from the centralized Health Connect Registry & will refer anyone calling to self-register using the link below. |
Explore the listing of health care resources below to help get access to the care you need. These resources are available to support Kootenay Boundary patients without a family practitioner. From the 'See Your Pharmacist' program to MSP-covered virtual primary care options, screening services, and more, these resources can help you navigate the healthcare system and access the care you need.
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Explore the listing of health care resources below available to support Kootenay Boundary patients without a family practitioner. From the 'See Your Pharmacist' program to MSP-covered virtual primary care options, screening services, and more, these resources can help you navigate the healthcare system and access the care you need.
Emergency & Urgent Care
For medical emergencies call 9-1-1 or go to your closest emergency department.
Visit the Interior Health web page for current information on the Castlegar Urgent & Primary Care Centre (UPCC), services & how to access.
interiorhealth.ca/locations/castlegar-urgent-primary-care-centre >
KB Access Clinic
KB Access is a medical clinic that offers primary care, as needed & by appointment only, to patients in the Kootenay Boundary region who don’t currently have a family doctor or nurse practitioner. KB Access serves the region with virtual & in-person appointments at their clinic location in Nelson BC (Castlegar & Trail coming ~ stay tuned). Learn more & book online at kbaccess.ca >
See Your Pharmacist Services
BC Pharmacists can assess & prescribe for 21 minor ailments (including uncomplicated urinary tract infections, allergies & more), contraception, nicotine cessation & emergency refills. Book an appointment or walk-in to an available pharmacy.
seeyourpharmacist.ca >
Health Link BC 811 - Health Advice by Phone
Call 8-1-1 to speak with a registered nurse, dietitian, pharmacist or exercise therapist for health advice; or connect with a service navigator for help to find a health care resource. Available 24/7.
healthlinkbc.ca/more/about-healthlink-bc/about-8-1-1 >
Virtual Primary Care Options
> FIRST NATIONS VIRTUAL DOCTOR OF THE DAY
The Virtual Doctor of the Day program is open to all First Nations people & their families living in BC. The program includes doctors of Indigenous ancestry. All doctors & allied health care professionals are trained to follow the principles & practices of cultural safety & humility. Call 1-855-344-3800 to book an appointment.
fnha.ca/what-we-do/ehealth/virtual-doctor-of-the-day >
> HEALTH LINK BC VIRTUAL PHYSICIANS
HealthLink BC’s virtual physicians provide confidential health information & advice. Virtual physicians can be available to 8-1-1 callers after assessment by a Health Link registered nurse.
healthlinkbc.ca/virtual-physician >
> FOUNDRY BC VIRTUAL PRIMARY CARE
Foundry Virtual BC offers free virtual primary & sexual health care services to young people ages 12-24 in BC, who do not have access to a physician or medical professionals in their community.
foundrybc.ca/virtual/primary-care >
> VIRTUAL HEALTH CARE PLATFORMS
*Various platforms are available with family practitioner appointments covered under BC MSP:
- TELUS MY HEALTH: telus.com/en/health/my-care>
- WELL HEALTH VIRTUAL CLINIC: virtualclinics.ca >
- TIA HEALTH: tiahealth.com >
- VIVACARE: vivacare.ca/telehealth-online-doctor >
- ROCKET DOCTOR: rocketdoctor.ca/bc-online-doctor >
- MAPLE AT SHOPPERS: shoppersdrugmart.ca/en/health-and-wellness/maple-virtual-care >
*The above list is intended to share options. It is not exhaustive nor an endorsement or recommendation by KB Division of Family Practice.
Preventive Screening
> KB SCREENING CLINIC
A virtual clinic offering age-related routine screening for Kootenay Boundary residents who don’t currently have a primary care provider. Screen for colon, breast, cervical & lung cancer as well as abdominal aortic aneurysm, HIV & syphilis.
kbscreen.ca >
> CERVIX SELF SCREENING
Cervix self-screening is an alternative to the Pap for routine screening. It’s accurate & convenient. Request a self screening kit by phone 1-877-702-6566 or online.
bccancer.bc.ca/screening/cervix >
Sexual Health
> OPTIONS FOR SEXUAL HEALTH CLINICS
Options clinics are inclusive spaces to access sexual & reproductive health care. Find a Kootenay Boundary clinic near you using their clinic finder.
optionsforsexualhealth.org/care/clinic-finder >
> GET CHECKED ONLINE STI TESTING
An easy way to test for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) without visiting a health care provider. It’s a free & confidential service offered by the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC). Participating labs currently include Nelson BC.
getcheckedonline.com/Pages/HowGetCheckWorks.aspx >
Dental Health
> WEST KOOTENAY COMMUNITY TEETH CLINIC
A not-for-profit clinic that offers high quality dental care for Kootenay-Boundary region low-income members including children, their families & seniors.
teethclinicwk.ca >
> CANADIAN DENTAL CARE PLAN (CDCP)
A federal program aimed at easing financial barriers to accessing oral health care for eligible Canadian residents. Applications are currently opening in phases. Find out if you qualify & when you can apply.
canada.ca/en/services/benefits/dental/dental-care-plan.html >
Mental Health - Adults
> INTERIOR HEALTH MENTAL HEALTH & SUBSTANCE USE SERVICES (MHSU)
MHSU aims to provide a safe space where you can be connected to the service or services that meet your needs. To self-refer, call 310-MHSU (6478) or visit your local MHSU Centre.
interiorhealth.ca/services/access-mental-health-and-substance-use-services>
> CANADIAN MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION (CMHA) BC
CMHA BC provides mental health & substance use resources, services & support.
cmha.bc.ca >
> HERE TO HELP BC
Find quality mental health information, learn new skills, & connect with key resources in BC.
heretohelp.bc.ca >
> HELP STARTS HERE - GOV BC
Explore GOV BC’s listing of resources across the province.
helpstartshere.gov.bc.ca >
> ANXIETY & DEPRESSION SKILLS GROUPS
Bounce Back is a free skill-building program designed to help adults & youth 13+ manage low mood, mild to moderate depression, anxiety, stress or worry. Learn skills to support your mental health with the help of a coach.
Mind Space BC offers free MSP-covered cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) skills groups that are led by family physicians & offered virtually for BC residents. 93% of group participants report greater confidence in managing mental health symptoms.
cbtskills.ca >
Mental Health - Child & Youth
> KB SEARCHLIGHT
'KB Searchlight' can help link you to the right services in your local community. It's a directory of youth mental health & substance use programs, services & resources for Kootenay Boundary youth, families & supporters.
kootenayfamilyplace.org/kb-searchlight >
> FOUNDRY BC
Free & confidential support for young people, ages 12-24, both online & in-person in communities across BC. foundrybc.ca >
> KELTY MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCE CENTRE
Helps families across the province navigate the mental health system, connect with peer support, & access resources & tools to support well-being.
keltymentalhealth.ca >
Finding Community & Health Resources
> BC 2-1-1 RESOURCE NAVIGATORS
Dial or text 2-1-1 to connect with a resource navigator for information & referrals to community & government services that can help with: mental health, basic needs like food & shelter, substance use, legal & financial assistance & much more. Not sure where to turn? Contact 2-1-1 or search their online database.
bc.211.ca >
> KB FETCH
KB Fetch can help link you to the services you need in Kootenay Boundary. It’s a regional health & community services directory with information on programs & services located in, or serving, the region - including counseling & mental health supports & so much more.
kb.fetchbc.ca >
> PATHWAYS KOOTENAY BOUNDARY
Pathways Kootenay Boundary is a comprehensive online health & community resource directory that’s easily searchable to find support & services near you.
kb.pathwaysbc.ca >
Aboriginal Patient Resources
> CIRCLE OF INDIGENOUS NATIONS SOCIETY (COINS)
COINS provides cultural support & services to Aboriginal people in Kootenay Boundary.
coinations.net/our-programs >
Patients can self refer to the COINS Aboriginal Health Coordinator for services & support.
coinations.net/referral-form-for-aboriginal-health-coordinator >
The COINS team has prepared a helpful listing of resources for patients who don’t currently have a family doctor.
bit.ly/Kb-Ab-Unattached >
> KB CULTURAL SAFETY - PATIENT RESOURCES
A directory of resources, filterable by nation, to use in helping find health care supports patients' need for themselves, &/or their family. Includes programs, resources, counseling, dental, benefits & much more.
kbculturalsafety.org/patients >
> FIRST NATIONS HEALTH AUTHORITY (FNHA)
FNHA delivers benefits & a wide variety of First Nations health, wellness & benefits programs across BC.
fnha.ca >
FNHA’s Virtual Doctor of the Day program is open to all First Nations people & their families living in BC.
fnha.ca/what-we-do/ehealth/virtual-doctor-of-the-day >
Maternity Care
Find a maternity care provider near you to support pregnancy & child birth.
https://divisionsbc.ca/kootenay-boundary/for-patients/kb-clinics-hospitals#MAT-List >
Aboriginal patients can qualify for the Doulas for Aboriginal Families Grant Program (DAFGP) offered by the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres, First Nations Health Authority & BC Ministry of Health.
bcaafc.com/dafgp >
Gender Affirming Health Care
Access a resource guide for Kootenay Boundary transgender, Two-Spirit, non-binary, gender diverse people & allies to help in navigating health care, services & support.
divisionsbc.ca/kootenay-boundary/gender-affirming-care >
Home & Community Care
Interior Heath offers a variety of at-home & community services to seniors & people with acute, chronic, palliative or rehabilitative health care needs. interiorhealth.ca/health-and-wellness/home-and-community-care/help-with-living-at-home >
Respite for caregivers is available through Adult Day Services & Home Health Clinicians at Interior Health.
preprod.interiorhealth.ca/services/adult-day-services >
Chronic Disease Care & Support
Interior Health offers support & resources to assist individuals impacted by a chronic health condition - including asthma, COPD & other lung conditions, brain injury, dementia, diabetes, chronic pain, heart disease, kidney disease, stroke & TIA.
interiorhealth.ca/health-and-wellness/healthy-living/chronic-diseases >
24/7 Crisis Support Lines
Reach out to access 24/7 support by phone or text:
- 988 SUICIDE CRISIS LINE: Call or text 9-8-8 if you are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including thoughts of suicide.
- INTERIOR CRISIS LINE: Call 1-888-353-2273 for emotional support & resources for anyone in crisis.
- 310 MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT: Call 310-6789 for support & resources specific to mental health & substance use.
- KUU-US CRISIS RESPONSE SERVICE: Call 1-800-588-8717 for culturally-aware crisis support for Indigenous peoples in B.C.
- TRANS LIFELINE: Call 1-877-330-6366 for emotional support & resources for trans people in BC.
- KIDS HELP PHONE: Call 1-800-668-6868 or text CONNECT to 686868 for confidential & anonymous support from trained responders for kids & youth.
- VICTIM LINK BC: Call 1-800-563-0808 for information & referral services for all victims of crime & immediate crisis support to victims of family & sexual violence.
- ALCOHOL & DRUG INFORMATION & REFERRAL SERVICE: Whether it’s for yourself or someone you care about, call 1-800-663-1441 for information, options & support. They can refer to a full range of counseling & treatment services across BC.
- BC SENIORS’ DISTRESS LINE: Call 604-872-1234 to talk with a crisis responder. This is also available to anyone who is concerned about an older adult.
- BC POISON CONTROL: If you suspect someone has been poisoned by a medicine, chemical or other substance, call the Poison Control Centre at 1-800-567-8911.
Empowering the Citizen Patient: Healthy People, Health Communities
Kootenay Boundary’s Patient Advisory Committee & Community (PACC) works together to bring patient voices on important issues to health care providers & policymakers in our region. Their website also shares a series of educational articles featuring health care information & resources.
kbpacc.ca/empowering-the-citizen-patient >
