Nanaimo

Direct health services are provided by community nurses, doctors, counsellors, dietitians, podiatrists, and respiratory therapists. Also offers referrals to community resources.

Public immunizations are not available. Please call/visit one of the other Community Health Centres in Vancouver for information on public vaccinations.

Integrated Care Teams (ICTs):
The Downtown CHC is staffed with ICTs to serve people in the Downtown Eastside who experience barriers accessing services, have no primary care provider and are challenged by complex health concerns (including psycho-social, physical, mental health and addiction co-morbidities). Each ICT provides care on-site and via outreach with nurses, social workers, counsellors, peer specialists, community liaison workers, family physicians, nurse practitioners, and psychiatrists. ICTs are supported on-site by more specialized care providers: wound care clinicians, palliative care nurses, occupational therapists, dieticians, and many other disciplines. A client will be connected to a specific ICT for ongoing care.

Referral: Client’s seeking assessment for methadone & suboxone starts should drop in during opening hours.

Intake: Book an intake appointment by calling the Addiction Intake Counsellor, or drop-in for an intake assessment (call for hours). Can also call the Access & Assessment Centre (24 hours).

Eligibility:

• Primary care provides services only to specific populations - not for general access. Priority is given to individuals who are living with complex psychosocial and clinical needs, who are vulnerable and underserved, and who require a higher intensity of services to achieve and maintain functional stability.
• ​Clients must reside in the downtown eastside, have no other primary care provider (are not attached to another GP elsewhere), and experience barriers accessing services elsewhere.
• Screening for access to services will be completed by clinic staff at first visit.