The new urgent and primary care centre (UPCC) in Williams Lake had its grand opening today, Feb 28, after seeing patients since Wednesday.
“We’ve seen patients already that haven’t seen a physician in 10 years," said Kelly Dillon, director of clinical operations for Interior Health. “It’s been absolutely amazing for the community."
About 30 people attended the opening, hearing from community and healthcare leaders including Kukpi7 Willie Sellars from the Williams Lake First Nation, mayor Surinderpal Rathor and Diane Shendruk, vice-president of clinical operations for Interior Health.
“When people come to this centre, they will be provided with a team-based care model, which means improved connection to specialized services such as family physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, a social worker and an indigenous care coordinator,” said Shendruk.
The centre in Williams Lake joins 10 others introduced in the Interior Health region following B.C.’s 2018 plan to set up UPCCs across the province to help address the health care crisis.
“Our turn has come, and we have this new team in town and it's not just the Mustangs,” said local doctor Glenn Fedor, referencing the city’s new Junior A hockey team in addition to the new health care team.
“I see this as a building block for our town," Fedor said, positive the centre will help attract more healthcare workers to live and work in Williams Lake.
The clinic had a soft opening earlier in the week and has already served 47 patients on Wednesday and 51 on Thursday. Interior Health expects the centre will serve more than 42,000 patients per year, with a daily capacity of up to 116 patients once fully staffed.
The Interior Health team said they exceeded their goal of hiring at least 50 per cent of staff by opening and are enthusiastic about hiring more staff for the centre to help fill in its four-hour shift approach.
Karen Cooper, executive director of clinical operations for Interior Health, said the centre only takes walk-in appointments at the moment, though this may evolve as time goes on.
The centre is available to any patient needing same-day care, whether or not they have a primary health-care provider. It will offer services, both in person and virtual, ranging from helping with sprains and small cuts to meeting mental and sexual health needs.
Once fully operation, the UPCC in Williams Lake will be open every day, including on statutory holidays, from 9:30 a.m. until 8:30 p.m.
