BC Provincial Services
Provincial services are free for all BC residents with BC MSP or another provincial health number.
8-1-1 is a free-of-charge provincial health information and advice phone line available in British Columbia. The 8-1-1 phone line is operated by HealthLink BC, which is part of the Ministry of Health. By calling 8-1-1, you can speak to a health service navigator, who can help you find health information and services; or connect you directly with a registered nurse, a registered dietitian, a qualified exercise professional, or a pharmacist.
Phone: 811
Dialing 9-1-1 will provide you with direct access to all emergency service providers in British Columbia, including Ambulance, Police, and Fire. 9-1-1 provides priority access to emergency services and should only be used when immediate response is required. Here are some examples of when you should call 9-1-1 for emergency medical care:
- When there is chest pain or tightness
- Choking or breathing difficulties
- Loss of consciousness
- Signs of a stroke
- Severe burns
- Convulsions that are not stopping
- A drowning
- A severe allergic reaction
- A serious head injury
- Major bleeding
If in doubt about whether you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 9-1-1.
Phone: 911
Website: http://www.bcehs.ca/health-info/when-to-call-9-1-1
In Canada, public health insurance is available to eligible residents. Canadian citizens and permanent residents can apply for provincial health insurance. In B.C., public health insurance is called the Medical Services Plan (MSP). It covers the cost of medically-necessary insured doctor services.
Website: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/health-drug-coverage/msp/bc-residents
If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, call 1-800-784-2433 (1-800-SUICIDE), or call your local crisis centre.
Help is available! We are here to listen, here to help – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Language Service: Both of the 310-6789 and 1-800-SUICIDE phone lines are available in over 140 languages using a language service. Let us know which language you require, and we will try and provide an interpreter.
Contact Us:
Anywhere in BC 1-800-SUICIDE: 1-800-784-2433
Mental Health Support Line: 310-6789
Seniors Distress Line: 604-872-1234
Online Chat Service for Youth: www.YouthInBC.com (Noon to 1am)
Online Chat Service for Adults: www.CrisisCentreChat.ca (Noon to 1am)
Website: https://crisiscentre.bc.ca/get-help/
PharmaCare has 12 plans that help B.C. residents pay for prescription medications and supplies. One person can be covered by several plans. For most plans, you must be enrolled in the Medical Services Plan of B.C. (MSP).
For more information on other BC Health Services visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health.
UVic Services
Free for all UVic students
SupportConnect is a free, confidential mental health support service for UVic students. Get connected with qualified counsellors, consultants, and life coaches anytime, anywhere. Available 24/7 by phone and online. Video and in-person options are also available. You can reach out for any reason—big or small! SupportConnect offers short-term solution-focused counselling with the same counsellor. You and your counsellor will work together through a set of sessions to assist you in moving forward.
Phone: Toll-free (North America) 1-844-773-1427
International Collect Calls 250-999-7621
Website: uvic.ca/supportconnecthttps://studentlife.mylifeexpert.com/login/victoria
Mobile App: Download the “Aspiria – SAP powered by Snapclarity” mobile app through Google Play or the Apple app store and use the login code uvictoria.
The Harm Reduction Centre is closed as of Thursday, April 6th and will re-open in late September 2023.
UVic’s Harm Reduction Centre (HRC) helps you make informed and safer choices around sex and substance use. Our aim is to make it as easy as possible for you to access harm reduction supplies and educational materials at UVic. We prioritize your safety and confidentiality. Free supplies are available for anonymous pick up:
- Safer injection supplies
- Safer snorting supplies
- Safer smoking supplies
- External & internal condoms
- Syringes
- Sharps containers
- Nalaxone kits
- Fentanyl testing strips
You can also find Community Harm Reduction resources on their webpage.
Make an appointment with a physician, counsellor, nurse or spiritual care provider. Not sure what type of appointment you need? We can help you figure it out. Book a wellness consultation or just give us a call.
Book ahead
You can book ahead for an appointment with a nurse for things like:
- pap tests
- birth control
- pregnancy tests
- STI testing
- injections
- immunizations
- UTIs
See our online booking page for more available appointment types this summer. Please call the Student Wellness Centre to book ahead for counselling appointments.
Same day
Same day, urgent care appointments are available this summer on a first come, first serve basis. These are intended for urgent issues.
If you require non-urgent medical care this summer, our registered nurses may be able to help. Otherwise, please seek off-campus support.
Phone: 250-721-8563
Find an interactive map of all wellness supports across the UVic campus here.
Finding a Doctor Off-campus
Compare availability and book an appointment with a wide variety of local care providers. Medimap helps busy Canadians check wait times at local walk-in clinics and book appointments directly with other healthcare providers right on our website.
Website: https://medimap.ca/
Telehealth Services
Telehealth service providers offer phone or online consultations. Telehealth services may have a shorter wait time than seeing a physician in person.
Rocket Doctor offers free virtual doctor appointments free for residents of BC or Alberta with a valid Personal Health Number.
Types of services offered:
- Routine checkups/preventative health
- Prescription refills
- Specialist referrals
- Sick notes
- Sexual health consultations
- Diabetes and hypertension
- Cold & flu, allergies and other illnesses
- Depression and anxiety issues
Speak directly with doctors in Canada by phone, video, or secure messaging, on any device. No cost with a valid British Columbia Medical Services Plan (MSP), Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP), Quebec (RAMQ) or Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP).
Types of Services:
- “Walk-in” virtual appointments
- Prescriptions
- Lab tests
- Doctor’s notes
- Specialist referrals
Website: https://tiahealth.com/
Book an online appointment with a Canadian doctor. Covered in British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario with a valid Personal Health Number.
Types of services offered:
- Doctor’s notes
- Prescriptions
- Test results
- Requisitions
Website: https://virtualclinics.ca/
If you are a resident of BC with a valid Personal Health Number you are qualified for this free telehealth service. We offer this service in the following languages: English, Cantonese, French, Hindi, Korean, Mandarin, Punjabi, Tagalog, Urdu.
Types of services offered:
- General Health Check Ups
- Prescription Refills (Rx sent to your pharmacy or even delivered to your door!)
- Review Your Lab Results
- Medical Counselling
- Check Your Symptoms
Sexual Health Clinics
Our job at Island Sexual Health is to provide you with the most current and relevant support through clinical services, education and products to help your sexual health. We understand that sexual wellness evolves over a lifetime and to support your evolving care needs, we offer inclusive, pro-choice, and sex positive services for people of all genders, orientations, abilities, and ages in Greater Victoria, BC on the territories of the Lekwungen and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples.
Our sexual health services:
- Cervical (pap) screening
- Pelvic, genital and testicular exams
- Gender Affirming Care(Hormonal and Surgical Assessment/Access and Monitoring for clients 16+ years. Apparel available for all ages)
- Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) Care including prevention (PrEP for qualifying clients), vaccination, testing, treatment, and support
- PEP Starts and Renewals
- IUD and Implant Insertions and Removals
- Pregnancy Testing and pro-choicesupported decision making
- Free Condoms/Lube and Bleed Control Supplies
In clinic store that offers gender affirming apparel, pleasure and sexual health products.
Website: https://www.islandsexualhealth.org/
Phone: 250-592-3479
Trans+ Gender Affirming Care
Trans Care BC supports the delivery of equitable and accessible care, surgical planning, and peer and community support for trans people across the province.
Services include:
- Information on gender affirming surgery
- Help navigating medical care
- Peer Support
- Mental Health and Support
- Support resources
Website: http://www.phsa.ca/transcarebc/
Phone: (Toll-free BC) 1-866-999-1514
We strive to be inclusive and welcoming to students of all genders. All SWC staff welcome questions about gender during appointments.
We offer a range of health care including gender-affirming medical care, referrals to specialists and inclusive sexual health care.
Our intake form invites you to share your gender identity if you are comfortable. Our forms also request that you indicate your name and pronouns for us to use in our interactions with you. Sharing this information is always your choice and will remain confidential.
Website: https://www.uvic.ca/student-wellness/info-for/lgbtqia2s+-students/index.php
Phone: 250-721-8563
ISH provides medical, surgical and social gender affirmation care for trans, non binary, 2 spirit and otherwise gender diverse folks. At ISH, we recognize that gender affirmation is a very personal journey, and different individuals will desire/need access to different types of services and care. Our role is to support you through your affirmation journey. Please note that access to many of the GAC services at ISHS are limited to existing attached clients. Please refer to ISH’s website for more information.
Website: https://www.islandsexualhealth.org/clinic/gender-affirming/
Phone: 250-592-3479
Trans Specialty Care offers knowledgeable and specialized care to transgender and gender diverse persons living in the Vancouver Coastal Health region. We work in teams including nurses, counsellors, physicians, nurse practitioners, and social workers. We are a consultation service and work in collaboration with your family doctor. If you do not have a family doctor (GP) or nurse practitioner (NP) we can help you find options for primary care.
Vancouver Coast Health provides Trans Specialty Care at Raven Song and Three Bridges Community Health Centres.
Services include:
- Hormone starts and stabilization
- Surgical care planning and referrals
- Pre-operative information and education
- Post-operative nursing care
- For clients accessing the above services, we can also help with the following:
- Primary Care Attachment
- Injection teaching
- Identity document changes
Website: https://www.vch.ca/en/service/trans-specialty-care#wysiwyg–18341
The UVIC Chair in Transgender Studies hosts a resource and information site for Trans+ folks and their allies on Vancouver Island.
Website: https://www.uvic.ca/research/transchair/contact/resources/index.php
Pacific Blue Cross
The insurance provider for the GSS extended Health & Dental plan is Pacific Blue Cross.
Students can create an online account to submit claims, set up direct deposit, or check their claim history and remaining benefits.
Information you will need to create an account:
- Policy 43222
- Member ID is the last 7 digits of your student number
The insta-claim provider tool allows you to search for extended health practitioners that offer direct billing to the insurance company in British Columbia, start by selecting the health provider service, and type in your city. It will provide you with a list of clinics/offices that offer direct billing with the insurance company. The Health Provider submits your claim to Pacific Blue Cross and you only pay for the difference not covered by your plan.
Website: https://service.pac.bluecross.ca/acesweb/pages/Authentication/ProviderSearch.aspx
Different pharmacies may charge different prices for the same medication. To find and compare prescription pills and tablets at pharmacies in British Columbia, use the Pharmacy Compass.