Island Health currently operates six Urgent and Primary Care Centres (UPCCs) providing access to same-day, urgent, non-emergency health care. UPCCs are open evenings, weekends, and statutory holidays from 8am to 8pm.
UPCCs provide team-based care for non-emergency health concerns including same day care for concerns such as minor injuries, sprains and strains, mild to moderate child illness and injury, infections, and cuts, wounds, or skin conditions.
Opening in October 2025, the Cowichan Urgent and Primary Care Centre (UPCC) will deliver inclusive, team-based care to the Cowichan Valley. Open daily from 8 AM to 8 PM, the two-story centre will provide urgent, ongoing, and preventive care through 12 exam rooms, onsite X-ray, and trauma-informed, culturally safe design. Services include chronic disease management, mental health and substance use support, and social work. Family Physicians and Nurse Practitioners can build patient panels within a collaborative team. With a Multicultural Room for group visits and community use, and built in partnership, the Cowichan UPCC aligns with the standards for accessible, respectful healthcare.
Primary Care Social Work here in the Cowichan Valley has been an opportunity to use creative problem-solving, connect deeply to the community, and draw on a wide variety of social work skills. One day might involve supporting someone to find housing; another might be advocating for medical needs or connecting a patient to financial and other resources. Another day might be holding a family with care as they say goodbye to a loved one, or offering support as they welcome a new baby. It may sound corny, but this is a role that feels sacred, walking alongside others as they navigate life’s challenges and encouraging their self-determination.
Primary Care Social Work here in the Cowichan Valley has been an opportunity to use creative problem-solving, connect deeply to the community, and draw on a wide variety of social work skills. One day might involve supporting someone to find housing; another might be advocating for medical needs or connecting a patient to financial and other resources. Another day might be holding a family with care as they say goodbye to a loved one, or offering support as they welcome a new baby. It may sound corny, but this is a role that feels sacred, walking alongside others as they navigate life’s challenges and encouraging their self-determination.
Primary Care Social Work here in the Cowichan Valley has been an opportunity to use creative problem-solving, connect deeply to the community, and draw on a wide variety of social work skills. One day might involve supporting someone to find housing; another might be advocating for medical needs or connecting a patient to financial and other resources. Another day might be holding a family with care as they say goodbye to a loved one, or offering support as they welcome a new baby. It may sound corny, but this is a role that feels sacred, walking alongside others as they navigate life’s challenges and encouraging their self-determination.
Primary Care Social Work here in the Cowichan Valley has been an opportunity to use creative problem-solving, connect deeply to the community, and draw on a wide variety of social work skills. One day might involve supporting someone to find housing; another might be advocating for medical needs or connecting a patient to financial and other resources. Another day might be holding a family with care as they say goodbye to a loved one, or offering support as they welcome a new baby. It may sound corny, but this is a role that feels sacred, walking alongside others as they navigate life’s challenges and encouraging their self-determination.
Primary Care Social Work here in the Cowichan Valley has been an opportunity to use creative problem-solving, connect deeply to the community, and draw on a wide variety of social work skills. One day might involve supporting someone to find housing; another might be advocating for medical needs or connecting a patient to financial and other resour
I've lived on the Island my whole life, and for the past 30 years, I've called the Cowichan Valley home. I honestly think it’s the most beautiful place in the world. You’ve got everything here — amazing hiking trails, stunning waterways for swimming, boating, or kayaking, lush green forests, and the full experience of all four seasons. Plus, the communities are friendly and welcoming, which makes it feel even more special.
I've lived on the Island my whole life, and for the past 30 years, I've called the Cowichan Valley home. I honestly think it’s the most beautiful place in the world. You’ve got everything here — amazing hiking trails, stunning waterways for swimming, boating, or kayaking, lush green forests, and the full experience of all four seasons. Plus, the communities are friendly and welcoming, which makes it feel even more special.
I've lived on the Island my whole life, and for the past 30 years, I've called the Cowichan Valley home. I honestly think it’s the most beautiful place in the world. You’ve got everything here — amazing hiking trails, stunning waterways for swimming, boating, or kayaking, lush green forests, and the full experience of all four seasons. Plus, the communities are friendly and welcoming, which makes it feel even more special.
I've lived on the Island my whole life, and for the past 30 years, I've called the Cowichan Valley home. I honestly think it’s the most beautiful place in the world. You’ve got everything here — amazing hiking trails, stunning waterways for swimming, boating, or kayaking, lush green forests, and the full experience of all four seasons. Plus, the communities are friendly and welcoming, which makes it feel even more special.
I've lived on the Island my whole life, and for the past 30 years, I've called the Cowichan Valley home. I honestly think it’s the most beautiful place in the world. You’ve got everything here — amazing hiking trails, stunning waterways for swimming, boating, or kayaking, lush green forests, and the full experience of all four seasons. Plus,
Working in Primary Care in Cowichan is incredibly rewarding because of the strong sense of community connection that is fostered – not only with the patients we serve, our colleagues, but also with the broader community that we interact with in our daily lives. There is a unique opportunity to build lasting relationships with individuals and families and to be part of a collaborative, interdisciplinary team that truly values the integration of team based care that provides culturally safe and patient-centered care.
Working in Primary Care in Cowichan is incredibly rewarding because of the strong sense of community connection that is fostered – not only with the patients we serve, our colleagues, but also with the broader community that we interact with in our daily lives. There is a unique opportunity to build lasting relationships with individuals and families and to be part of a collaborative, interdisciplinary team that truly values the integration of team based care that provides culturally safe and patient-centered care.
Working in Primary Care in Cowichan is incredibly rewarding because of the strong sense of community connection that is fostered – not only with the patients we serve, our colleagues, but also with the broader community that we interact with in our daily lives. There is a unique opportunity to build lasting relationships with individuals and families and to be part of a collaborative, interdisciplinary team that truly values the integration of team based care that provides culturally safe and patient-centered care.
Working in Primary Care in Cowichan is incredibly rewarding because of the strong sense of community connection that is fostered – not only with the patients we serve, our colleagues, but also with the broader community that we interact with in our daily lives. There is a unique opportunity to build lasting relationships with individuals and families and to be part of a collaborative, interdisciplinary team that truly values the integration of team based care that provides culturally safe and patient-centered care.
Working in Primary Care in Cowichan is incredibly rewarding because of the strong sense of community connection that is fostered – not only with the patients we serve, our colleagues, but also with the broader community that we interact with in our daily lives. There is a unique opportunity to build lasting relationships with individuals and fami
I love the community aspect of working in primary care and meeting people where they are. I enjoy the flexibility of the schedule, support from my team, as well as the longevity of the patient care and being able to follow their health journey. The demographics and scope of practice are so broad that each day, you learn new things right alongside the patients and family.
I love the community aspect of working in primary care and meeting people where they are. I enjoy the flexibility of the schedule, support from my team, as well as the longevity of the patient care and being able to follow their health journey. The demographics and scope of practice are so broad that each day, you learn new things right alongside the patients and family.
I love the community aspect of working in primary care and meeting people where they are. I enjoy the flexibility of the schedule, support from my team, as well as the longevity of the patient care and being able to follow their health journey. The demographics and scope of practice are so broad that each day, you learn new things right alongside the patients and family.
I love the community aspect of working in primary care and meeting people where they are. I enjoy the flexibility of the schedule, support from my team, as well as the longevity of the patient care and being able to follow their health journey. The demographics and scope of practice are so broad that each day, you learn new things right alongside the patients and family.
I love the community aspect of working in primary care and meeting people where they are. I enjoy the flexibility of the schedule, support from my team, as well as the longevity of the patient care and being able to follow their health journey. The demographics and scope of practice are so broad that each day, you learn new things right alongside t
Island Health has once again been selected as one of BC’s Top Employers (2025) in a competition that aims to identify employers who lead their industries by providing exceptional workplaces for their employees.
In 2025, Island Health was selected as a BC Top Employer for multiple reasons, including our retirement planning options through the Municipal Pension Plan, our support for new parents with maternity and parental leave top-up payments, and our staff training and development programs.
At Island Health, we humbly and respectfully acknowledge that the new Cowichan Urgent Primary Care Centre is being built upon the unceded traditional lands of the Quw’utsun People. We also recognize the neighbouring unceded traditional territories of the Ditidaht, Pacheedaht, Ts’uubaa-asatx, Málexeł, Stz’uminus’, Leey’qsun, Spune’luxutth, and Xeláltxw Peoples.
As an organization, we are committed to Cultural Safety and Humility, and we demonstrate this through our actions to address Indigenous-specific racism, systemic racism and the ongoing impacts of colonialism. We also want our workforce to more closely resemble the population that we serve. That is why Island Health has formed an Indigenous Recruitment & Retention Team, which is available to assist you with your application if you identify as Indigenous.