KB Access is a medical clinic that offers primary care, as needed & by appointment, for patients in the Kootenay Boundary region who don’t have a family doctor or nurse practitioner.

The clinic offers virtual & in-person care.

Virtual visits are available to patients across Kootenay Boundary. In-person visits are available in Nelson & Castlegar.

kbaccess.ca > 

The Castlegar Urgent & Primary Care Centre (UPCC) is available to anyone in the Kootenay Boundary region. The centre is located in the Castlegar & District Community Health Centre.

Appointments must be booked in advance by phone at (250) 304-1289 for all services. The Castlegar UPCC takes appointments for non-life-threatening illnesses or injuries.

Based on your care needs, care could be with a nurse practitioner, registered nurse, social worker, or physiotherapist.

Interior Health UPCC >

KB SCREEN
A virtual clinic offering age-related routine screening for Kootenay Boundary residents who don’t currently have a primary care provider. Screen for colon, breast, cervical, prostate & lung cancer.
kbscreen.ca >

CERVIX SELF SCREENING
Cervix self-screening is an alternative to the Pap for routine screening. It’s accurate & convenient. Request a self screening kit by phone 1-877-702-6566 or online.
bccancer.bc.ca/screening/cervix >

OPTIONS FOR SEXUAL HEALTH CLINICS

Options clinics are inclusive spaces to access sexual & reproductive health care. Find a Kootenay Boundary clinic near you using their clinic finder.
optionsforsexualhealth.org/care/clinic-finder >

INTERIOR HEATH SEXUAL HEALTH SERVICES CLINIC

Offering routine Sexually Transmitted and Blood-borne Infections (STBBI) testing and treatment, Cervical cancer screening, emergency contraception, contraceptive counselling, pro-choice pregnancy testing and counselling, etc.

Castlegar District Health Centre (2nd floor)
709, 10th St, Castlegar, BC

Call to book: 250-826-1725

GET CHECKED ONLINE STI TESTING

An easy way to test for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) without visiting a health care provider. It’s a free & confidential service offered by the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC). Participating labs currently include Nelson BC.
getcheckedonline.com/Pages/HowGetCheckWorks.aspx >

FIRST NATIONS VIRTUAL DOCTOR OF THE DAY
The Virtual Doctor of the Day program is open to all First Nations people & their families living in BC. The program includes doctors of Indigenous ancestry. All doctors & allied health care professionals are trained to follow the principles & practices of cultural safety & humility. Call 1-855-344-3800 to book an appointment.
fnha.ca/what-we-do/ehealth/virtual-doctor-of-the-day >

HEALTH LINK BC VIRTUAL PHYSICIANS
HealthLink BC’s virtual physicians provide confidential health information & advice. Virtual physicians can be available to 8-1-1 callers after assessment by a Health Link registered nurse.
healthlinkbc.ca/find-care/healthlink-bc-8-1-1-services/physician-services-healthlink-bc >

FOUNDRY BC VIRTUAL PRIMARY CARE
Foundry Virtual BC offers free virtual primary & sexual health care services to young people ages 12-24 in BC, who do not have access to a physician or medical professionals in their community.
foundrybc.ca/virtual/primary-care >

BC Pharmacists can assess & prescribe for 21 minor ailments (including uncomplicated urinary tract infections, seasonal allergies & more), contraception, nicotine cessation & emergency refills. Book an appointment or walk-in to an available pharmacy.
seeyourpharmacist.ca >

Call 8-1-1 to speak with a registered nurse, dietitian, pharmacist or exercise therapist for health advice; or connect with a service navigator for help to find a health care resource. Available 24/7.
healthlinkbc.ca/more/about-healthlink-bc/about-8-1-1 >

CIRCLE OF INDIGENOUS NATIONS SOCIETY (COINS)

COINS provides cultural support & services to Aboriginal people in Kootenay Boundary. 
coinations.net/our-programs >

Patients can self refer to the COINS Aboriginal Health Coordinator for services & support.
coinations.net/referral-form-for-aboriginal-health-coordinator >

The COINS team has prepared a helpful listing of resources for patients who don’t currently have a family doctor.
bit.ly/Kb-Ab-Unattached >

KB CULTURAL SAFETY – PATIENT RESOURCES

A directory of resources, filterable by nation, to use in helping find health care supports patients’ need for themselves, &/or their family. Includes programs, resources, counseling, dental, benefits & much more.
kbculturalsafety.org/patients >

FIRST NATIONS HEALTH AUTHORITY (FNHA)

FNHA delivers benefits & a wide variety of First Nations health, wellness & benefits programs across BC.
fnha.ca >

FNHA’s Virtual Doctor of the Day program is open to all First Nations people & their families living in BC.
fnha.ca/what-we-do/ehealth/virtual-doctor-of-the-day >

BC 2-1-1 RESOURCE NAVIGATORS

Dial or text 2-1-1 to connect with a resource navigator for information & referrals to community &  government services that can help with: mental health, basic needs like food & shelter, substance use, legal & financial assistance & much more. Not sure where to turn?
Call 2-1-1 or search their online database.
bc.211.ca >

These excellent resource directories can help you navigate health & community resources available to you in Kootenay Boundary….

KB FETCH 

KB Fetch can help link you to the services you need in Kootenay Boundary. It’s a regional health & community services directory with information on programs & services located in, or serving, the region – including counseling & mental health supports & so much more.
kb.fetchbc.ca >

PATHWAYS KOOTENAY BOUNDARY

Pathways Kootenay Boundary is a comprehensive online health & community resource directory that’s easily searchable to find support & services near you.
kb.pathwaysbc.ca >

INTERIOR HEALTH MENTAL HEALTH & SUBSTANCE USE SERVICES (MHSU)

MHSU aims to provide a safe space where you can be connected to the service or services that meet your needs. To self-refer, call 310-MHSU (6478) or visit your local MHSU Centre.
interiorhealth.ca/services/access-mental-health-and-substance-use-services>

MIND SPACE BC 

Mind Space offers free MSP-covered cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) skills groups that are led by family physicians & offered virtually for BC residents. 93% of group participants report greater confidence in managing mental health symptoms!
mind-space.ca >

BOUNCE BACK

Bounce Back is a free skill-building program designed to help adults & youth 13+ manage low mood, mild to moderate depression, anxiety, stress or worry. Learn skills to support your mental health with the help of a coach.
bouncebackbc.ca >

CANADIAN MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION (CMHA) BC

CMHA BC provides mental health & substance use resources, services & support.
cmha.bc.ca >

HERE TO HELP BC

Find quality mental health information, learn new skills, & connect with key resources in BC.
heretohelp.bc.ca >

HELP STARTS HERE – GOV BC

Explore GOV BC’s listing of  resources across the province.
helpstartshere.gov.bc.ca >

KB SEARCHLIGHT 

‘KB Searchlight’ can help link you to the right services in your local community. It’s a directory of youth mental health & substance use programs, services & resources for Kootenay Boundary youth, families & supporters.
kootenayfamilyplace.org/kb-searchlight >

FOUNDRY BC

Free & confidential support for young people, ages 12-24, both online & in-person in communities across BC.
foundrybc.ca >

KELTY MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCE CENTRE

Helps families across the province navigate the mental health system, connect with peer support, & access resources & tools to support well-being.
keltymentalhealth.ca >

WEST KOOTENAY COMMUNITY TEETH CLINIC 

A not-for-profit clinic that offers high quality dental care for Kootenay-Boundary region low-income members including children, their families & seniors.
teethclinicwk.ca >

CANADIAN DENTAL CARE PLAN (CDCP)

A federal program aimed at easing  financial barriers to accessing oral health care for eligible Canadian residents. Find out if you qualify & apply.
canada.ca/en/services/benefits/dental/dental-care-plan.html >

Find a maternity care provider near you to support pregnancy & child birth.
divisionsbc.ca/kootenay-boundary/for-patients/kb-clinics-hospitals#MAT-List >

Aboriginal patients can qualify for the Doulas for Aboriginal Families Grant Program (DAFGP) offered by the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres, First Nations Health Authority & BC Ministry of Health.
bcaafc.com/dafgp >

Access a resource guide  for Kootenay Boundary transgender, Two-Spirit, non-binary, gender diverse people & allies to help in navigating health care, services & support.
divisionsbc.ca/kootenay-boundary/gender-affirming-care >

Palliative care isn’t just about the end of life–it’s about living well at every stage. The tools and resources linked below are designed to help patients, their families navigate care with clarity, confidence and compassion.
https://divisionsbc.ca/kootenay-boundary/palliative-care >

Interior Heath offers a variety of at-home & community services to seniors & people with acute, chronic, palliative or rehabilitative health care needs. interiorhealth.ca/health-and-wellness/home-and-community-care/help-with-living-at-home >

Respite for caregivers is available through Adult Day Services & Home Health Clinicians at Interior Health.
preprod.interiorhealth.ca/services/adult-day-services >

Interior Health offers support & resources to assist individuals impacted by a chronic health condition – including asthma, COPD & other lung conditions, brain injury, dementia, diabetes, chronic pain, heart disease, kidney disease, stroke & TIA.
interiorhealth.ca/health-and-wellness/healthy-living/chronic-diseases >

Reach out to access 24/7 support by phone or text:

988 SUICIDE CRISIS LINE: Call or text 9-8-8 if you are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including thoughts of suicide. 

INTERIOR CRISIS LINE: Call 1-888-353-2273 for emotional support & resources for anyone in crisis. 

310 MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT: Call 310-6789 for support & resources specific to mental health & substance use.

KUU-US CRISIS RESPONSE SERVICE: Call 1-800-588-8717 for culturally-aware crisis support for Indigenous peoples in B.C.

TRANS LIFELINE: Call 1-877-330-6366 for emotional support & resources for trans people in BC. 

KIDS HELP PHONE: Call 1-800-668-6868 or text CONNECT to 686868 for confidential & anonymous support from trained responders for kids & youth. 

VICTIM LINK BC: Call 1-800-563-0808 for information & referral services for all victims of crime & immediate crisis support to victims of family & sexual violence.

ALCOHOL & DRUG INFORMATION & REFERRAL SERVICE: Whether it’s for yourself or someone you care about, call 1-800-663-1441 for information, options & support. They can refer to a full range of counseling & treatment services across BC.

BC SENIORS’ DISTRESS LINE: Call 604-872-1234 to talk with a crisis responder. This is also available to anyone who is concerned about an older adult. 

Kootenay Boundary’s Patient Advisory Committee & Community (PACC) works together to bring patient voices on important issues to health care providers & policymakers in our region. Their website also shares a series of educational articles featuring health care information & resources.
kbpacc.ca/empowering-the-citizen-patient >