Victoria Divisions of Family Practice

Information for patients

 

Seeking medical advice and care 

  • If you have a family doctor: Family doctor offices are open to their patients. Doctors offer either phone or video options or arrange a safe in-person visit, depending on clinical need and patient preference. Please call your doctor's office to find out more, or look up your doctor's options in the Pathways Medical Care Directory if they have shared their information. View here how to prepare for any virtual appointments.
     
  • If you do not have a family doctor: Walk-in clinics and Urgent and Primary Care Centers (UPCCs) are open. They also offer virtual care options or arrange an in-person visit, depending on clinical need and patient preference. You can use the Pathways Medical Care Directory to view local care options. Call the clinic first for an appointment with a community doctor. A list of walk-in clinics/UPCCs and their wait times is also available at Medimap.ca
     
  • For medical questions, please contact HealthLink BC by dialing 8-1-1 toll-free in BC (7-1-1 for deaf and hearing impaired people). Their service is available any time of the day or night, every day of the year. You can speak with a person who can help you connect with a health professional.
     
  • If you have a medical emergency, call 9-1-1 or visit your nearest emergency department.
     

Finding a family doctor or nurse practitioner

  • The Health Connect Registry can help.
     
  • If you, your family, or a person in your care lives in one of the Victoria communities of James Bay, Fairfield, Oaklands, Fernwood, downtown Victoria, Vic West, Oak Bay, Gordon Head, Shelbourne, Interurban, Tillicum, Quadra or Swan Lake, you can register with the Health Connect Registry to be attached to a family doctor or nurse practitioner.
     
  • By registering with the Health Connect Registry, you are being put on a list to be attached to a family doctor or nurse practitioner when one becomes available.
     

Finding COVID-19 information 

  • The latest Island Health COVID-19 and COVID vaccination information can be found here.

  • The BC COVID-19 Symptom Self-Assessment Tool by the BC Ministry of Health will help determine if you may have symptoms. Learn what to do if you have symptoms or tested positive here.

  • If needed, please connect with your doctor/primary care provider (or Island Health at 1-844-901-8442), or call 8-1-1.

  • Call the provincial 1-888-COVID19 line for non-medical COVID-19 information.

  • Visit the Pathways Community Services Directory for useful COVID-19 resources.
     

Flu information

Accessing community resources

The Pathways Community Service Directory website makes it easy for patients to find and access community resources in your area or online. It covers key areas like Addictions, COVID-19, First Nations Services, LGBT2Q+ Supports, Maternity Care, Mental Health, Seniors Services, Wellness Supports, and more.

User-friendly search and filter options help you quickly identify the best service/program. The website also shows local related news and updates, referral requirements and service costs, plus links to handouts, videos, helplines and websites.

View the 2-minute intro video for patients.

 

Learning skills to cope with stress, anxiety and depression: CBT Skills Group

Are you or someone you know suffering from mild to moderate depression or anxiety? Or maybe you are just finding stressful situations harder to deal with than you used to? The CBT Skills Group is here to help.