Prince George and area residents will see changes happening at the Prince George Urgent and Primary Care Centre (UPCC) starting on December 8, 2024.
As of December 8, 2024, the UPCC will be open for pre-scheduled appointments from 8 am to 4 pm, Monday to Friday. The UPCC will be open for urgent (walk-in) care from 4 pm to 8 pm, Monday to Friday, and from 9 am to 5 pm on weekends and statutory holidays.
Also starting on December 8, 2024, Northern Health will be adopting a triage model of care at the Prince George UPCC. Under this model, urgent care (walk-in) patients will be registered and triaged by a nurse upon arrival. Depending on the patient’s needs, they may be seen at the UPCC on the same day by a physician, nurse practitioner, nurse or other health professional. Patients will be seen in order of urgency, rather than in order of arrival.
Patients with less-urgent needs, such as routine prescription renewals or treatment for minor ailments, may be booked for an appointment the following day or referred to see their family physician, pharmacist or other community resource. Some appointments will be provided remotely by phone or video conference.
Under the current service model, patients are routinely turned away from the UPCC once all the available appointments for the day have been filled. Northern Health understands that this can be frustrating and challenging for patients, who may have to attend the UPCC multiple times before seeing a physician. Under the new service model, all patients will be triaged upon arrival and directed to appropriate care.
These patient-centered changes will be occurring as part of a transition to a new service delivery model at the Prince George UPCC. Northern Health would like to thank the physicians and staff of the Nechako Medical Clinic who contributed to making the Prince George UPCC a success and welcome the physicians, providers and staff who will be part of the future success of the UPCC.
As this transition continues, Northern Health is committed to finding innovative ways to improve services for Prince George residents. In 2025, Northern Health anticipates implementing changes to allow Prince George UPCC staff to triage patients by phone, reducing or eliminating the need for patients to line up in person to be seen. Northern Health is also working to extend the UPCC’s weekend and holiday hours.
Northern Health recognizes the Prince George UPCC provides an important resource for patients who do not have a primary care provider (family physician or nurse practitioner) and patients needing after-hours and weekend care. Northern Health is committed to providing timely access to primary and urgent care in Prince George and across Northern BC.