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. However, we know that this approach can contribute to increased waiting times for routine care appointments.
This is a unique feature of our medical centre that is unlike almost anywhere else you go!
Are you tired of waiting for access to quality primary care services on Galiano Island? Or do you know someone who is? You’re not alone. The province-wide shortage of primary care providers and family doctors has prevented us from addressing the waitlist since 2019. At the Galiano Health Care Centre, we understand how important it is for you to have access to quality primary care, and we’re committed to making that a reality.
Our plan is to gradually intake new patients as our capacity allows, ensuring that we prioritize safety and quality. We’re actively working to recruit family doctors and lobbying for additional funding to support our efforts. But we can’t do it alone. The Galiano Health Care Centre is the result of years of work and advocacy by the community.
To make our vision of a comprehensive community health centre a reality, we need your support, your advocacy, and your time. Together, we can build a stronger and more resilient health care centre for everyone on Galiano Island.
Physician Services
Dr. Erin Carlson, Dr. Anik Mommsen-Smith, and Dr. Andre Touchburn are available for appointments with current patients or urgent care, and a physician locum is available as much as we are able secure one.
Nurse Practitioner
Lee-Ann Jespersen, NP is Family Nurse Practitioner, available 4 days a week for appointments with current patients or urgent care.
For more information on what Nurse Practitioners can do for you please check out these resources:
Canadian Nurses Association NPNOW video
What is the role of a Nurse Practitioner?
How are Nurse Practitioners integrated in the health-care team?
What impacts do Nurse Practitioners bring to health-care systems?
College of Registered Nurses of BC
Lab Services
Full lab services are available each Thursday morning from 7:00am to 10:15am. Appointments necessary. Phone the clinic or come in to book an appointment up to 4 weeks in advance. Requisitions for service are required, so you need to see your primary physician or nurse practitioner to acquire these ahead of time. As well, you need to bring your Care Card to present at the time of seeing the Lab Tech.
Emergency Services
At present, the coverage available for emergency services is listed in posters on the island’s bulletin boards and on the front door of the Health Care Centre and on our website under Hours of Operation. 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.
Always call 911 in case of a serious or life-threatening emergency.