Accessing healthcare
Navigating healthcare in a new country can be overwhelming. This page has information and resources to help you stay safe and get the care you need.
Emergencies
If you are experiencing a medical emergency do not delay trying to get help. Connect with emergency assistance as soon as possible.
- Hospitals: if you are injured or sick, you can go to the Emergency Department at either the or the . Both are open 24/7. Wait times are based on urgency and may be long
- 911: if you are in urgent need of medical care and are unable to get to the hospital, call 911 to consult a dispatch officer. They may call an ambulance or send paramedics to your location
- Campus Security: if you are on-campus, contact Campus Security at 250-721-7599 for emergency assistance or first aid. Services are available 24/7, every day of the year. Important: if you are injured or need urgent medical attention, also call 911
Emergency resources
- : immediate crisis support (available 24 hours a day) 1‑888‑494‑3888 (toll-free)
- : support for suspected poisoning by a chemical, drug, or other substance 1-800-567-8911 (toll-free)
- : information & support for women, trans, Two-Spirit, and gender diverse people experiencing sexual assault or violence 250-383-3232
- Sexualized Violence Resource Office (SVRO): located in Equity and Human Rights, the SVRO offers support to all UVic students, staff and faculty who have been impacted by Sexualized Violence
- Harm Reduction: overdose prevention information and resources for UVic students and community members
On campus
Student Wellness Centre
The Student Wellness Centre (SWC) at UVic provides appointments with counsellors, nurses, physicians, and spiritual care providers. To be eligible for services you must be a UVic student, currently registered (undergraduate or graduate courses), and in British Columbia.
- Pre-booked appointments open on Friday at 8:30 a.m. and are booked 4-6 weeks in advance
- Same-day appointments are available for urgent conditions, Monday through Friday starting at 8 a.m. (appointments are not guaranteed)
- Health appointments are booked online
- If you have questions about your booking options, contact the SWC
- Pre-booked appointments are booked approximately 2-4 weeks in advance
- Same-day appointments are available for urgent conditions, Monday through Friday starting at 8:30 a.m. (appointments are not guaranteed)
- To book a counselling appointment call 250-721-8563 or book in person
- To connect one-on-one with a spiritual care provider call 250-721-8338 or email to book an appointment
Other services on campus
- : offers affordable dental services
- : offers a wide range of health and wellness products as well as prescription medications
- : provides physiotherapy, massage therapy and sports injury therapy
- : offers appointments with massage therapists, acupuncturists, dieticians and naturopaths
- : provides professional psychological services, including assessments and therapeutic interventions
Off campus
Clinics
Walk-in Clinics or Urgent Primary Care Centres (UPCC) provide healthcare for non-emergency medical issues that require immediate attention. These clinics are spread around Victoria and usually offer same-day appointments on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Use the to locate the nearest clinic and check on waiting times
- Search for a clinic using page (for students with GuardMe)
Testing and lab work
- Tests such as blood/urine tests require a referral from a doctor and usually done at private labs such as
- Tests such as X-rays, CT scans, and ultrasounds, are usually done in hospitals with a referral from a doctor or specialist
Sexual health resources
- clinic and resource centre specializing in sexual health and gender-affirming care
- : free online testing service for sexually transmitted infections
Other resources
- Cannabis use: provides information about cannabis use on campus
- : provides non-emergency health information and advice
- : connects you with gender-affirming health and wellness supports near you
Virtual health
Virtual health can be a good option for quickly connecting with a medical practitioner for non urgent medical needs. In virtual appointments, doctors or nurses can assess your condition or illness, make referrals, request lab tests, and issue prescriptions if appropriate. Services for students include:
- by GuardMe: international students enrolled in can connect with a doctor by phone, tablet, or computer 24/7
- : call 811 to connect to a health service navigator for general questions or a phone consultation with a pharmacist, physician, or registered nurse. This service is free, available 24/7, and is accessible in more than 130 languages
- SupportConnect: provides free, confidential mental health support for UVic students, available 24/7 by phone and online
- : mental health and well-being services for undergraduate students enrolled in the UVSS Enhanced Health Plan
- Telehealth apps: connect with a doctor or nurse practitioner virtually for a consultation, referral, prescription refill or more. Providers include , , and
Prescription medication
- Student Wellness Centre: to get a prescription for a medication you have been taking from your home country, you need to book an appointment with the reason “Medication Review”. You will need to provide your most recent medical records, a diagnosis (if applicable) and your prescription history.
- : consult a General Practitioner or Nurse Practitioner about your condition. They may require an assessment in order to prescribe you treatment
- : in some cases, pharmacists are able to prescribe treatments for mild ailments and conditions
- A medical practitioner must provide your prescription to a local pharmacy of your choice (usually by fax)
- UVic has a , and you can search for other pharmacies near you on
- You must then either visit or call the pharmacy to have your prescription filled
- Use your or extended benefits coverage to help pay for your prescription medication
- Learn more about your eligibility for for additional coverage with BC MSP
What to expect
Be prepared to access medical care by learning about what your coverage includes, what documents to bring, and how to pay for your healthcare services.
What to bring with you:
- Your primary health insurance information (/ (PHN) or )
- Photo identification (BC ID, passport, driver's license)
- Copy of study permit
- Extended health benefit information (if applicable)
Using your health insurance
Before you need medical care, familiarize yourself with your . When accessing medical care, provide the service provider, clinic, or hospital with your policy information found on your . You will also need to present photo identification.
In some cases, healthcare providers will bill GuardMe directly. If they are unable to do direct billing, you will need to pay for the service and for reimbursement online.
You must call the emergency assistance number (1-888-756-8428) before incurring expenses for any of the following:
- Admission to hospital as an in-patient
- Major diagnostic tests
- Dental injury
- Surgery air evacuation
- Repatriation or burial
BC MSP is the provincial insurance program that pays for . If you have active coverage and access medical services in a clinic or hospital, your fees will be covered by BC MSP.
To use your BC MSP coverage, you must provide your and identification. Your PHN is listed on the back of your BC Services Card or can be obtained by calling .
Extended health benefits provide partial coverage for services not covered by primary health insurance, such as vision care, dental, and paramedical practitioners. When accessing these services, be prepared to provide your plan information which includes your group number (/) and your personal ID (your V#).
- Some practitioners can bill directly to your insurance
- You may be asked to pay and submit a claim to your insurance provider
- Ask in advance for a quote and whether they can direct bill to your insurance provider
Learn more about using your extended benefits through your student union:
During your visit
Navigating healthcare in Canada may be different than in your home country. Some things to expect while accessing medical services:
- Medical records are unless you authorize another person to access them on your behalf
- Usually, medical services are provided in private examination rooms
- Guests must be approved by the patient (except for some cases where the patient is a minor)
- Although your identification documents will be verified, you have the right to be referred to by your chosen name and pronouns
- In some scenarios, you may be able to request a doctor or medical practitioner of a certain gender
- Learn more about