Primary Care
What is Primary Care?
Primary Care is your first point of contact with the medical system, administered by family doctors and nurse practitioners. It can be found in clinics, hospitals, and walk-in clinics.
What do primary care providers offer?
The job of a primary care provider is to help you stay healthy throughout your life. Primary care providers offer holistic care for any illness or condition that doesn’t require the help of a specialist, and if a specialist is required, they can provide referrals for those services. If you need to see a specialist, you will often need to visit a primary care provider first, to get a referral.
Family Doctor Shortage
Canada is currently facing a family doctor shortage, meaning that BC does not have enough providers for everyone to have a consistent family doctor/primary care provider. As soon as you can, begin calling clinics and joining waitlists. Many family doctors may not be taking on long - term patients, but will be happy to see you on a short- term basis. You can also visit family doctors to seek care for an acute issue or to seek a referral.
Health Connect Registry
Health connect registry is open to anyone living in BC and connects you to a family doctor or nurse practitioner in your area.
All you need is:
Personal Health Number (PHN) found on your BC Services Card or BC Drivers’ License
Address
Email address and phone number