Frequently Asked Questions

How can we help you today?

Welcome to the Galiano Health Care Centre.

To find the most relevant information for your situation, please select the option that best describes you:

I am a Current Patient
I am not a Patient here

Why do I need an appointment to renew my medications?

You are on a medication for a medical issue—the stability of your medical condition requires routine reassessment. Please book online or call to book well in advance of running out of your medication.

If a doctor refers me to a specialist, how will I hear about the appointment time and date?

Typically, the specialist’s office will contact you directly by phone. Occasionally, email will be utilized. If they have difficulty contacting you, our office will help facilitate contact. Please make sure your contact info is up to date with our office.

If a doctor orders a test or imaging for me, how will I hear about the appointment time and date?

You will be contacted directly by the facility offering the test; you will most likely be contacted by phone including automated messages; you may also be contacted by mail. Please make sure your contact info is up to date with our office.

How can I access my lab results and other medical reports?

You can sign up to view your own results and reports here:

Who do I say my doctor is if I have an appointment that requires this information?

The Galiano Health Care Centre is a shared practice. You are a patient of the clinic, not a specific doctor. You may provide the name of any physician at the clinic. If you know who ordered your test, choose that physician.

If I am a patient, and have a baby, can my baby be patient?

Yes. This is currently the only way to have a non-rostered/active family member added to our patient panel.

I noticed you have resident doctors; do I have to see a learner?

No, you can always say no to being involved in physician learning; however, we are a teaching site and always encourage engaging with learners.

If you do see a Resident Doctor, be assured your care will be reviewed with the supervising physician, and you can ask to see the supervising doctor as a part of your visit if this is not offered.

Can I book a doctor appointment and lab appointments online?

Yes! You can access the portal here:
Book Appointment | Galiano Health Care Centre

Can I apply for a TAP form online?

Yes! You can find the application here:
Travel Assistance Program (TAP) | Galiano Health Care Centre

The clinic is very busy, sometimes the next available routine appointment is a month away—what do I do if something urgent comes up?

You can check online for cancellations or call and ask to be triaged. We will always do our best to accommodate you.

How do I know when to call 911?

If you believe you or a loved one is having a medical emergency, please call 911.

If you are unsure – call 811 and a navigator, nurse, or physician can help you make the best decision.
When to Call 9-1-1

I notice we have a lot of visiting doctors (locums). If I see a locum, can they provide me with continuity of care?

Yes, locums can see your medical chart and all previous notes and test results created and made by our regular doctors. Locums help us provide care when our regular doctors need to be away and or when we have vacancies.

How can I find out what community health resources are available on the island?

What are your hours?

  • The clinic is open Monday to Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
  • Phones are answered from 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM.
  • The clinic is closed for lunch from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM.
  • The clinic is closed on Saturday and Sunday.
  • After-hours coverage is available Monday to Friday from 5:00 PM to 8:00 AM, and weekend on-call coverage is from Friday 5:00 PM to Monday 8:00 AM. Note: There may not be a doctor on Galiano Island during after-hours.

If I live on Galiano, do I automatically become a patient at the Galiano Health Care Centre?

No, our clinic is currently not taking on new patients. If you have a doctor elsewhere, you should continue to see them.

If you don’t have a doctor you can sign up to be on a waitlist for our area through the health connect registry Health
Connect Registry | HealthLink BC

Will the doctors at the clinic see me for something urgent?

Quite possibly. Please call the clinic and ask to be triaged. You will be triaged at a scheduled time and the office will call you back.

If the Galiano Health Care Centre is deemed the appropriate location for your care, and we have capacity, you will be booked to see a Doctor, or a First-Call-Trained RN

Important: Sometimes we will recommend you go off the island for your care.
For example, we do not have imaging or same day lab services. At times your issue will be inappropriate to be dealt with on island, and we will recommend a higher level of care.

If I am seen at the Galiano Health Care Centre for something urgent, does that mean I am then a patient there?

No, you will still need to access routine/primary care elsewhere. See the resources below to learn how you can access routine/primary care.

If I am seen at the Health Care Centre for something urgent, am I automatically added to their waitlist?

No, you need to sign yourself up to a wait list using the Health Connect Registry | HealthLink BC.

How do I access non-urgent, routine/primary care if I don’t have a doctor?

See a list of resources here:
Health Resources | Galiano Health Care Centre

Is there such a thing as virtual doctor appointments?

View some options here:
Health Resources | Galiano Health Care Centre

Can I book a lab appointment at the clinic if I’m not a patient? If so, how?

Island Health Lab Services operate out of our clinic every Thursday morning, except on stat holidays and the occasional cancelation due to inclement weather.

You can book online using this link:
Check In | Online Booking

How do I know when to call 911?

If you believe you or a loved one is having a medical emergency, please call 911.

If you are unsure – please call 811 and a navigator, nurse, or physician can help you to make this decision.
When to Call 9-1-1

How can I access my test results if I’ve seen a practitioner in a walk-in clinic or hospital?

How can I get a Travel Assistance Form (TAP)?

If you are a resident of Galiano you can apply for a TAP form here:
Travel Assistance Program (TAP) | Galiano Health Care Centre

I am pregnant, how can I access prenatal care?

Please register for a provider in the Victoria area:
Right From The Start | Island Health

If you do not yet have a provider and have concerns, please phone the clinic and ask to be triaged.

How can I access urgent mental health support?

Please call the Southern Gulf Islands Mental Health and Substance Use Services directly by calling 250-538-4711.

You can also call the front desk and our MOAs will gladly help you navigate the system; we can also connect you with a same-week counselling appointment.
Southern Gulf Islands Mental Health & Substance Use | Island Health

How can I access non-urgent mental health support?

You can self-refer by calling 250-538-4711, or find out more here:
Southern Gulf Islands Mental Health & Substance Use | Island Health

How can I find out what community health resources are available on the island?

What are your hours?

  • The clinic is open Monday to Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
  • Phones are answered from 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM.
  • The clinic is closed for lunch from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM.
  • The clinic is closed on Saturday and Sunday.
  • After-hours coverage is available Monday to Friday from 5:00 PM to 8:00 AM, and weekend on-call coverage is from Friday 5:00 PM to Monday 8:00 AM. Note: There may not be a doctor on Galiano Island during after-hours.