Esquimalt Community Clinic

All appointment scheduling now occurs exclusively over the phone, walk-in booking is no longer accepted. This policy is in place in response to the multiple safety concerns associated with walk-in booking during the GP Shortage Crisis. Patients attempting to register in-person at the office will be turned away and asked to call us at 778-265-4305. 

Scheduling begins each week-day morning when our phone lines are turned on at 9:30am, and continues until we are fully booked. Spots are limited, due to the extreme volume of calls we receive each morning, be prepared to make multiple attempts until you get through. Appointments are scheduled up to one business day in advance

Monday-Friday: 9-5, closed 12-1 for lunch
Saturday - Sunday: CLOSED
We are closed all statutory holidays

 *ALL HOURS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE, PLEASE REFER TO CALENDAR BELOW FOR MOST UP TO DATE INFORMATION* 

1. Estimated appointment time. The time you are given for your appointment is our best guess as to when you will be seen/called; however, staff cannot predict if certain cases before you will take longer than expected or when an emergency will arise. 

2. Limited appointment time. This is to ensure everyone is afforded time with the doctor. As your time is limited we recommend you discuss only your most pressing issue with the doctor. If you have multiple issues to discuss, you may wish to briefly list your issues at the start of your appointment, and then together determine what to focus on at the current visit.

3. Respectful behaviour optimizes care. Be mindful of your actions and demeanour when needs and emotions are running high. Disrespectful behaviour increases the likelihood of confusion, miscommunication, and longer wait times. Abuse of any sort is not tolerated and may result in permanent removal from the clinic.

4. Community clinics will not receive and store your full chart from a prior office.   If we require access to any of your prior records we may request select reports if the pertain to your current care needs.

5. Certain medications such as narcotic painkillers are controlled substances  require careful management. Alert clinic staff if you are looking to refill a controlled substance as not all community clinic doctors will be able to do so for you. 

6. All prescription refills require an appointment to review with a doctor. If you run out of medication before you are able to have an appointment with a doctor, discuss your options with your pharmacy.

7. Test results.  You will be recalled by the clinic if the doctor deems a follow-up on your results to be necessary. If you have not heard from the clinic and are feeling anxious about a test or your symptoms are persisting, contact the clinic and consult with the clinic staff.  You can also easily view your lab results and medication history through the Health Gateway service using your BC Services Card App. 

8. Inform the staff about the reason for your visit.  This will allow us to prepare for your visit, speeding up the process.

9.  Alert the staff immediately if you are experiencing an acute medical emergency.  Do not wait until you are speaking to the doctor, alert the staff at intake.

 -If you do not have a family doctor, pick one walk-in/community clinic to be your primary source of care. This will ensure continuity of care as your chart is developed there.

-If you are using a specific community clinic as your primary source of care you may start requesting medical reports be copied to that clinic.

-Ensure you update the clinics that you attend with any changes to your phone number or address.

-To determine the current estimated wait time of the walk-in or community clinics, go to www.medimap.ca.

-Chronic Disease Management, Annual Physicals, and Procedures require longer appointments and should be ideally performed by your family doctor. If this is not possible, plan for multiple visits at the same walk-in clinic. Discuss with the walk-in physician what the plan is for the next visit(s). Although this may not be ideal, it will ensure you receive the care you need despite the constraints of the walk-in clinic model.

- Pap Smears, STI Checks, and Sexual Health visits are all services offered at walk-in and community clinics, but are also provided by Island Sexual Health (www.islandsexualhealth.org).

- STI screening can also be organized without the need for an appointment through the online service Get Checked Online (www.getcheckedonline.com).

-HealthLinkBC provides access to non-emergency health information and advice. You can call 811 or visit www.healthlinkbc.ca 24 hours a day. 

- If you are in need of a family doctor, and wish to be contacted when once is available in your community please self-register at: https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/health-connect-registry

 https://pathwaysbc.ca/community – Search repository of all local community health and social service programs.

www.LifeLabs.com – check local lab wait times, pre-book appointments, and access your results

Mental Health, Substance Abuse, Addictions and Social Services

Vancouver Island Crisis Line - 24/7 short-term non-judgemental emotional, support, crisis intervention, information, and resources. p) 1-888-494-3888 w) www.vicrisis.ca

Umbrella Society - Substance use issues support services p) 250-380-0595 w) www.umbrellasociety.ca

Victoria Cool Aid Society – Housing and support services p) 250-383-1977 w) www.coolaid.org

Foundry – Ages 12-24 – Prevention, intervention health and social services to support young people's well-being.  p) 250-383-3552 w) www.foundrybc.ca