July 21, 2021 | People living in Victoria, Saanich and Oak Bay will benefit from the Province’s transformation of everyday health care for people, with the establishment of four primary care networks (PCN) and the province’s largest urgent and primary care centre (UPCC).
“These four primary care networks are bringing the needs of patients and their health-care workers to the forefront and transforming how we deliver primary care into the future,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health. “Victoria’s new patient-focused services reflect the needs of the local community and will add capacity across four new PCNs and a new UPCC, linking services to ensure people get the support they need when they need it and where they need it.”
Urgent and primary care centres bring together health-care workers – including family physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses and others – to provide primary care to patients who currently do not have a family doctor or nurse practitioner, and weekend and after-hours care, taking pressure off hospital emergency departments.
The four primary care networks will work together to provide patient-centred care for people across Greater Victoria, including James Bay, Fairfield, Oaklands, Fernwood, downtown Victoria, Vic West, Oak Bay, Gordon Head, Shelbourne, Interurban, Tillicum, Quadra and Swan Lake. Over the past two years, engagement has involved the Victoria Division of Family Practice, Indigenous community partners, patient partners, Island Health and key community organizations that deliver primary care to inform PCN service design.