New urgent care centre opening in Delta

The BC Ministry of Health says people who live in the community of Delta will now have better access to urgent primary care with the opening of a new clinic.

It says the South Delta After-Hours Urgent and Primary Care Centre on Canoe Pass Way in Tsawwassen will be open from 4:30 p.m. until 8 p.m., Monday to Friday, and 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. on weekends and statutory holidays.

Delta Mayor George Harvie says he made a notice of motion to the Fraser Health Authority and the health ministry earlier this year, requesting an urgent and primary care centre in the city.

“We were the only jurisdiction of Fraser Health that did not have one, and it was causing communities problems with their emergencies,” he said.

“I had discussions directly with Minister [Josie] Osborne. She promised to look at something that could be done as quick as possible, and I’m really pleased that they have come through with that.”

He says this helps, but it is just the first step.

“It doesn’t really help alleviate our problem up in North Delta, which is 60 per cent of our population,” Harvie said.

“So I want the public to be assured that I’m still going to be pressing for additional urgent and primary care centres that will cover all of the city.”

Harvie says he would like to see clinics in both the south and north parts of the city.

The release says the clinic provides care to people who need support within 12 to 24 hours for health concerns such as sprains, cuts that need stitches, fevers, and minor infections, but do not require emergency-department services.

The ministry says the clinic expects to serve about 6,000 patients every year.