Quesnel and area residents will see changes happening at the Quesnel Urgent and Primary Care Centre (UPCC) starting on October 6, 2025.
Effective today, Northern Health is adopting a triage model of care at the Quesnel UPCC. Under this model, urgent primary care 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 primary care 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 most responsible provider, 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 registration and directed to appropriate care.
These patient-centered changes will be occurring as part of a transition to a new service delivery model. Northern Health would like to thank the physicians and staff who continue making the Quesnel UPCC a success.
The Quesnel UPCC hours will continue to be Monday to Friday, 12 pm to 8 pm, and Saturday, Sunday, and statutory holidays 10 am to 2 pm. As this transition continues, Northern Health is also working to extend the UPCC’s weekend and holiday hours.
Northern Health recognizes the 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 Quesnel and across Northern BC.