Cranbrook’s new Urgent and Primary Care Centre will be able to extend its hours of operation thanks to additional staff.
Interior Health (IH) officials said the centre, located in the Baker Street Professional Centre, will be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on statutory holidays from Monday to Friday.
A new family physician, nurse practitioner, two registered nurses and three medical office assistants have made the extension of hours possible.
“By extending the hours of operation, we’re helping more people in Cranbrook quickly connect with a practitioner to best treat their condition,” said Adrian Dix, Health Minister. “The additional seven health-care providers are crucial to the urgent care team and providing quality services.”
According to IH officials said 19 healthcare professionals are now working in Cranbrook’s Urgent and Primary Care Centre.
Patients can go to the centre to be connected with the practitioner that can best treat their injury or illness.
“We are excited to have more health-care professionals joining the team at the Cranbrook Urgent and Primary Care Centre, working together for people in Cranbrook and area,” said Susan Brown, Interior Health president and CEO. “This centre came together with great support from our partners with the Kootenay East Regional Hospital District, the East Kootenay Division of Family Practice and the Ktunaxa Nation. It’s rewarding to see it expanding, so that people in the community have more access to health-care services they need.”
People attending the centre can drop in for a same-day appointment, where they will be seen depending on the severity of their condition, instead of on a first-come-first-served basis.
According to IH officials, the Cranbrook facility has seen more than 1,300 patients since it opened in December.
“In addition, 438 people have been added to the waiting list to join the clinic for a primary care provider with connection beginning this fall. Also, this year, the centre is expecting to add maternity care to its services,” said IH staff.
