Just Ask: How to Access Healthcare and Find a Family Doctor on the Sunshine Coast?
Hayley Toth | Sunshine Coast Resource Centre
Many people on the Sunshine Coast do not currently have a family doctor. If you’re feeling uncertain about how to access care or where to start, there are supports in place to help you navigate the healthcare system.
The first step to being matched with a family doctor or nurse practitioner is registering with the Health Connect Registry through HealthLink BC by calling 8-1-1 or visiting healthlinkbc.ca. You will be asked a series of questions about your health and a phone call typically takes between five to ten minutes. Once registered, your name is added to a central waitlist for your area. Clinics contact you directly when space is available, so keep your contact information updated by calling 8-1-1 if it changes. If you don’t respond, you may be placed back on the waitlist. Moving within BC does not affect your place on the list.
If the offered clinic is too far or unsuitable, you can decline and stay on the waitlist for a better option. For example, if you live in Pender Harbour and are offered a spot in Sechelt, you may choose to wait for a closer clinic. There are also transportation supports which may help in these scenarios, such as the Seniors Link Bus from the Pender Harbour Health Centre (604-212-2232) and the Volunteer Driver Program through Vancouver Coastal Health (604-885-8517).
While you wait for a family doctor, there are still options to access healthcare. Pharmacists can often help with minor health concerns and may be able to prescribe certain medications or refer you to additional care such as Avee – a telehealth service that allows you to speak with a BC physician by phone. This service can help with prescriptions or blood work requests, although the scope of care is limited. It is not a replacement for ongoing care, but it can provide short-term relief while you wait for a physician.
Some local clinics may offer limited same-day appointments for people without a doctor. These are booked on a first-come, first-served basis and depend on availability so are not always available. If you are able, try calling first thing in the morning when a clinic opens.
If you need more support or have questions about navigating the system, you can also contact Erin at the Sunshine Coast Division of Family Practice by emailing elane@scdivision.ca or calling 604-989-2314.
Various services are available in different Sunshine Coast communities. The Pender Harbour Health Centre (PHHC) offers a bi-weekly nurse-led Chronic Disease Management Clinic and a free bi-weekly Dietitian Clinic for people managing diabetes or other nutritional concerns. Other services at the centre include blood tests, IV therapy, ECGs, and wound care. A Public Health Nurse is available four days per week, and patients can book appointments by calling 604-741-2549. A bi-weekly Sexual Health Clinic is also open to people of all ages and genders. Some programs are open to all while others require a referral; contact PHHC at 604-883-2764 or visit penderharbourhealth.com for full information.
Public health services are available at both the Gibsons and Sechelt Health Units. The Gibsons Health Unit (821 Gibsons Way) and the Sechelt Health Unit (5571 Inlet Avenue) offer immunizations, prenatal care, family health support including youth health services, and home care services through Gibsons. Some programs may require a referral. An adult sexual health clinic hosted by the Gibsons Unit is held in Sechelt on Wednesdays, with appointments booked by calling the Gibsons Health Unit at 604-984-5070. For more information, contact the Health Units directly: Gibsons at 604-984-5070 and Sechelt at 604-885-5164.
Gibsons is also home to a Community Paramedic who provides in-home support for individuals managing chronic conditions such as heart failure, diabetes, COPD, and palliative care needs. The Community Paramedicine program is designed to help people age safely in place and also offers education on chronic disease management. You can contact the Community Paramedic by emailing CP.BowenIsland.Gibsons@bcehs.ca.
While it may take time to be matched with a family doctor, the resources listed here offer a helpful starting point. For a more detailed overview of local health services, visit sc.fetchbc.ca, an online community health directory. You can also call 8-1-1, B.C.’s 24/7 health information line, to speak with registered nurses, pharmacists, and other professionals who can guide you to appropriate services.
For urgent or emergency concerns, call 9-1-1 or visit the Sechelt | shíshálh Hospital Emergency Department at 5544 Sunshine Coast Hwy.