Other Health Care Information and Contacts:
Prescription Pick-up – Call Kerry Pavlatos at 250-539-5809 to advise her that your medications will require picking up at Shoppers Drug Mart in Sidney. Your medications will be held for a maximum of 24 hours once they have been brought to Saturna. This service is free, but a donation to the volunteers who perform this service is welcome.
Medical Equipment Loans - The Doctor and Home Care Nurse have limited equipment, borrowed through the Mt. Newton Centre in Central Saanich. Contact this facility (250-652-2112), or the Red Cross in Victoria, or consult your patient Navigator, if you are anticipating orthopedic surgery and may need some post-operative equipment.
Home Care Worker Support Services can be arranged by contacting the Island Health Authority Central Intake, General inquiries at 1-888-533-2273.
A community Home Care Nurse makes weekly visits if you qualify (post-op, frailty, physician orders etc.). Contact Miranda Mackenzie at 250-629-3242, or Miranda.Mackenzie@islandhealth.ca
Monica Morten M.A. offers assessment and short-term individual counselling to adults experiencing mental health and/or substance use problems. Referrals are through the Doctor, or self-referrals can be made by calling 250- 538-4711. There is no charge for these services, which are provided by the Island Health Authority.
A Family Enhancement Worker works with Saturna families for support with parenting issues. Contact Ali Stark, Family Enhancement Worker, Saltspring Island Community Services 250-222-0025 or astark@ssics.ca
Better at Home - 1-250-526-0249 or BAHsaturnafieldcoordinator@gmail.com
Public Health Nurses - for information or appointment call Peninsula Health Unit 1-250-544-2401. Ask for whomever is covering Saturna Island.
Travel Assistance Program (TAP) Patients of the Saturna Medical Clinic requiring services not available on island (specialists, blood work etc.) may qualify for a Travel Assistance Program (TAP) form. Forms provide free ferry service and must be authorized by the referring doctor. For details, check with the Medical Clinic.
At Home Covid Tests are available free of charge at the Medical Clinic, any pharmacy and at the Saturna General Store (stocked on the lowest shelf to the right by the entrance door of the store).
Laboratory Services Saturna Medical Clinic does not presently have on location laboratory services available nor lab courier service. Laboratory procedures, as well as laboratory specimen drop offs, must be done off island. Sidney has two outpatient laboratories – LifeLabs and a VIHA Satellite Lab.
ADDITIONAL MEDICAL RESOURCES
General Information about Health and Medication -Call 8-1-1, available 24/7 to speak to a registered nurse, medical doctor, dietician or pharmacist. This is an excellent place to start if you have questions about your health or medication, or if you need help with deciding where you should go to receive care.
Pharmacist Appointments: Pharmacists can prescribe for 21 minor ailments and prescription contraceptives. For more information visit a pharmacy or https://www.gov.bc.ca/SeeAPharmacist.
Virtual Care - Access medical care remotely using the Telus MyHealth App on your phone or visit www.telus.com/en/health/my-care. Medical appointments can be booked virtually, and are available throughout the day including evenings, weekends and holidays. General doctor visits through the Telus MyHealth App are covered under MSP.
Vancouver Island Mental Health Crisis Line 1-888-494-3888 (24/7)
Crisis Centre BC 1-800-784-2433
Foundry BC is a province-wide network for young people ages 12-24 that provides access to core services in one convenient location: mental health care, substance use services, physical and sexual health care, youth and family peer supports, and social services. Access services at 16 local Foundry centres, online at foundrybc.ca, or connect virtually through the Foundry BC app or email online@foundrybc.ca or call 1-833-308-6379.
Walk-In Clinics - Visit www.medimap.ca to search for local walk-in clinics with appointment availability.
Hospital - The closest hospital is Saanich Peninsula Hospital, located at 2166 Mt. Newton Cross Rd, Saanich. Please note that the emergency department remains on temporary overnight closure from 10 pm to 7 am. BC Emergency Health Services ambulances are diverted to Royal Jubilee Hospital or Victoria General Hospital from 10 pm to 7 am.
Urgent Care Centres in Victoria – If you require medical attention within 12 - 24 hours, but are not emergent, Urgent Care Centres offer same-day care for minor injuries, sprains and strains, less serious child illness and injury, infections, and cuts, wounds or skin conditions. Call in the morning for a same-day appointment. Phone lines open between 8:00 am and 8:30 am depending on location.
Medication Access - As the Doctor is only on Saturna once per week try to anticipate your medication needs and book an appointment. The Medical Clinic can fax a medication order to a pharmacy in town. If you require emergency medications at any other time you will have to leave Saturna to obtain them. It is also wise to remind your visitors to bring enough required medications to last for the duration of their visit as the Clinic is for current patients only.
Medication Disposal - Please take your expired or un-needed medications to a pharmacy for disposal. The medical clinic does not have the ability to dispose of medications at this time.
