Follow Us! Like Our Page!

Improving same-day care for rural, remote communities

Press Release

Jan. 21, 2026

ELKFORD –

Summary

  • Elkford’s urgent and primary care centre is at 212 Alpine Way
  • The care centre is open Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. until 6 p.m., and on weekends from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Since it opened on May 21, 2025, the Elkford urgent and primary care centre (UPCC) has helped approximately 1,500 people living in and around Elkford get primary care.

“For people in the Elk Valley, getting health care can mean long drives and tough winter travel,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health. “The Elkford UPCC helps make sure residents can get timely, urgent primary care closer to home, without having to leave the valley. It’s about recognizing the realities of rural life and making care more accessible for people who live and work here.”

As of December 2025, 6.6 full-time equivalent (FTE) staff have been hired at the Elkford UPCC and are providing primary care to their community. Once fully operational, the UPCC will have a clinical staff of approximately 8.75 FTE health-care workers, including:

  • 2.16 FTE family physicians
  • 0.80 FTE nurse practitioner
  • 4.14 FTE registered nurses
  • 0.60 FTE social worker
  • 0.25 FTE Indigenous patient navigator
  • 0.60 FTE physiotherapist
  • 0.20 FTE medical leadership

A new family physician is slated to join the Elkford UPCC in March 2026.

Better care options for people in rural B.C.

The UPCC is located in the Elkford Health Centre building at 212 Alpine Way. It provides both longitudinal primary care and urgent, same-day access for people who need support for their primary health care needs within 12 to 24 hours, but do not require an emergency department. Conditions such as sprains, cuts, high fevers and minor infections are appropriate for same-day care at the UPCC. This support is available for those with or without a family doctor.

“By bringing UPCC services into the Elkford Health Centre, residents can count on timely care from a dedicated team of primary care providers and allied health professionals right in their community,” said Sylvia Weir, president and CEO, Interior Health. “With daily hours, seven days a week, and options for both booked and walk-in visits, people can rely on support for a range of health concerns and urgent needs.”

Connecting with community care

  • The UPCC is open seven days a week, from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. Monday to Friday and from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. on weekends and statutory holidays.
  • Patients can book an in-person appointment at the UPCC by phoning 250-865-2247.
  • In-person, walk-in appointments and virtual-care options are also available.

As part of B.C.’s Primary Care Strategy, which is bringing more team-based primary-care services to people in B.C., the Ministry of Health has committed almost $2 million in annual operating costs for Elkford UPCC as well as one-time funding of $75,000 for start-up costs. The total capital cost of the project is $475,000, with the Ministry of Infrastructure funding $285,000 and the Kootenay East Regional Hospital District funding $190,000.

Quotes:

Stephanie Higginson, parliamentary secretary for primary care –

“This UPCC means that people in Elkford will have more opportunities for same-day urgent and longitudinal primary care close to where they live, which is key to overall well-being. The team-based care provided by the Elkford UPCC means that people in the area will get the health care they need without having to travel outside of their community.”

David Wilks, chair, Kootenay East Regional Hospital District –

“The Kootenay East Regional Hospital District is pleased to assist in bringing UPCC services into the Elkford Health Centre. Having same-day access available for care is vital to residents, and this team-based approach supports the quality of care and life for residents in the area.”

Quick Facts:

  • The Elkford UPCC will facilitate approximately 22,000 patient visits each year and connect 2,600 people to a family doctor or nurse practitioner.
  • Including the new Elkford UPCC, there are now 42 UPCCs in the province that are open and providing care under the government’s Primary Care Strategy.
  • The Elkford UPCC is the 12th UPCC operating in the Interior Health region, along with Ashcroft, Castlegar, Cranbrook, Kamloops North Shore, Kamloops South Shore, Kelowna, Penticton, Rutland, Vernon, West Kelowna and Williams Lake.

Learn More:

Contact:

Ministry of Health
Media Relations
250-952-1887

ILR4

NationTalk Partners & Sponsors Learn More