Primary Health Care

Dr. Anik Mommsen-Smith
Dr. Andre Touchburn
Dr. Amir Ali Azimzadeh Ghomi

are available for appointments with current patients or urgent care and we have a physician locum when available

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At the Galiano Island Health Care Centre, we understand the importance of timely access to medical care, both for urgent medical issues and routine primary care needs. The primary care providers strive to respond promptly to urgent medical issues by offering same-day or next-day appointments whenever possible, even if that means squeezing them into our schedule between routine appointments.

We also understand that major medical emergencies can disrupt scheduled primary care appointments. Providers must prioritize these emergencies and attend to them immediately, without notice. We know that this approach can contribute to increased waiting times for routine care appointments, and we trust that people will understand if their scheduled appointment is moved slightly so we can provide care to someone who needs it more urgently.

This is a unique feature of our medical centre that is unlike almost anywhere else you go! 

Together, we can build a stronger and more resilient health care centre for everyone on Galiano Island.

Ways You Can Help

To make our vision of a comprehensive community health centre a reality, we need your support, your advocacy, and your time.

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Appointment Booking

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Monday to Friday
9am to 5pm
Phones Answered
9:30am to 3pm
Closed for Lunch
12pm to 1pm
Saturday and Sunday
Closed
Weekend On-Call Coverage
Friday 5pm to Monday 8am

For after-hours urgent care, phone the on call physician phone number at 1-800-866-5602. As well we have 24/7 Ambulance Attendant coverage through the 911 emergency system.

Frequently Asked Questions

The questions below are for people who are not currently patients of the Galiano Health Care Centre and are looking for information about accessing care and local health services. Already a patient of the clinic? See our Information for Patients.

 

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

No. Living on Galiano does not automatically make you a patient of the Galiano Health Care Centre. If you already have a doctor elsewhere, you should continue to see them. If you do not have a family doctor, you can register on the Health Connect Registry.

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 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 questions 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.

Is there such a thing as virtual doctor appointments?

View some options here.

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

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

MyHealth | Island Health or Health Gateway

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 at 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, find out more at Southern Gulf Islands Mental Health & Substance Use | Island Health 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.

How can I access non-urgent mental health support?

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

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