FAQs

  • Our physicians are currently at capacity and unable to take on new patients. We are grateful for the trust our community places in us and remain committed to offering exceptional care to those already under our care.

  • To be matched with a family doctor in British Columbia, you’ll first need a valid BC Medical Services Plan (MSP) number.

    Once you have MSP coverage, you can register on the provincial registry through HealthLink BC at healthlinkbc.ca/hcr.

    When a local physician in your area is accepting new patients, they will refer to this registry to connect with individuals seeking care.

    We recommend keeping your contact information up to date in the registry so you can be notified when a doctor becomes available.

    Please call 8-1-1 for more information.

  • To make an appointment, our patients are welcome to call Sparling East at 250-423-4442 during business hours.

    Phones are on Monday - Thursday 9am-noon and 1-4:30pm | Fridays 9am-noon and 1-4pm

    We do not have online booking at this time.

  • You still have several options for getting the care you need, even if you’re not currently attached to a family doctor:

    1. Call 8-1-1 (HealthLink BC)
      You can speak directly with a registered nurse, pharmacist, or dietitian for non-emergency medical advice. They can help assess your symptoms and guide you on next steps.

    2. Book a virtual appointment at Fernie’s Pharmacy
      Fernie’s Pharmacy on 2nd Avenue offers access to virtual medical appointments, which can be a quick and convenient way to get help for many concerns.

    3. Visit the Emergency Department at Elk Valley Hospital
      Fernie does not have an urgent care or walk-in clinic. When you need urgent but non-life-threatening care, the Emergency Department functions as the community’s closest option.

    4. Urgent Care in Elkford (40 minutes from Fernie)
      The Elkford Urgent and Primary Care Centre (UPCC) is available for same-day/urgent needs:
      👉 https://www.interiorhealth.ca/locations/elkford-urgent-and-primary-care-centre
      Additional information about UPCC services is available here:
      👉 https://www.interiorhealth.ca/sites/default/files/PDFS/urgent-and-primary-care-resources.pdf

    If you’re hoping for long-term primary care, you can also register with the Health Connect Registry to be matched with a local family doctor when space becomes available.

  • Getting your flu shot in BC is easy and strongly encouraged to help protect yourself, your family, and our community—especially during the busy fall and winter season.

    You can book your flu vaccine through the provincial system by visiting the BC Government’s immunization page:
    👉 https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/managing-your-health/immunizations/flu

    From there, you can register, find local clinics and pharmacies, and schedule an appointment at a time that works for you. Flu shots are widely available throughout the Elk Valley.

    If you have questions about eligibility, timing, or availability, the provincial site has up-to-date information to guide you. Stay healthy this season!

  • You can still access Pap tests, birth control and STI testing in BC even if you don’t currently have a family doctor.

    Fernie has an Options for Sexual Health (OPT) Clinic located at the Elk Valley Hospital, offering confidential, judgment-free sexual health services—including Pap tests, STI testing, birth control options, and more. You can find clinic hours and details here:
    👉 https://www.optionsforsexualhealth.org/clinic/fernie-opt-clinic/.

    If you’re also hoping to find long-term primary care, we encourage you to register with the Health Connect Registry so you can be matched with a local doctor when a spot becomes available.

    Your health is important—please reach out to the OPT Clinic or Public Health so you can get the care you need.

  • You can access, download, and print your immunization records easily through Health Gateway.
    👉 https://www.healthgateway.gov.bc.ca/

    Health Gateway displays immunizations that are part of the Provincial Immunization Registry—this includes vaccines given at BC public health clinics and pharmacies.

    Please note:

    • It does not show immunizations given by family doctors, nurse practitioners, travel clinics, or any vaccines received outside of BC.

    • Anyone 12 years and older can create their own Health Gateway account.

    • Parents and caregivers can add younger children to their profile to view their records.

    Health Gateway is the quickest and most reliable way to view or print your vaccination history in BC.

  • If you’re pregnant in the Elk Valley, you can receive dedicated prenatal care through the Elk Valley Maternity Clinic, located inside the Elk Valley Hospital.

    The maternity team provides compassionate, team-based care throughout your pregnancy.
    You can find clinic details, hours, and contact information here:
    👉 https://www.interiorhealth.ca/locations/elk-valley-maternity-clinic-fernie

  • UBC Scarfe Free Counselling Clinic

    Phone: 604-827-1523
    Website: Scarfe Free Counselling Clinic at UBC | Mind Map BC
    Who You’ll See: Counselling psychology master’s students in training, supervised by a registered psychologist
    Format: Zoom (Ages 19+)
    Cost:Free
    Availability: September–April

    University of Victoria Psychology Clinic

    Phone: 250-721-7538
    Email: psyclin@uvic.ca
    Website: Psychology Clinic – uvic.ca
    Who You’ll See: MSc & PhD psychology students supervised by Registered Clinical Psychologists
    Format: In-person, phone
    Ages: Adults, youth, children 6+, couples, families
    Cost: Free

    Wellness Together Canada

    Phone:
    • Adults: 1-866-585-0445
    • Youth: 1-888-668-6810
    Website: wellnesstogether.ca
    Who You’ll See: Registered Clinical Counsellors (5–10+ years experience)
    Format: Phone, online, on-call (new counsellor each time)
    Cost:Free

    Foundry BC Virtual

    Phone: 1-833-308-6379
    Website: foundrybc.ca
    Who You’ll See: Registered Clinical Counsellor, MSW
    Format: Video, voice, chat; booked or on-call
    Ages: 12–24
    Cost:Free

    Hope for Wellness (Indigenous Support)

    Phone: 1-855-242-3310
    Website: hopeforwellness.ca
    Who You’ll See: RCC & RSW
    Format: 24/7 crisis phone or online chat
    Languages: English, French, Cree, Ojibway, Inuktitut
    Ages: 12+
    Cost:Free

    Here2Talk (Post-Secondary Students Only)

    Phone: 1-877-857-3397
    Website: here2talk.ca
    Who You’ll See: Master’s-level counsellors
    Format: Phone or chat
    Requirement: Must be enrolled in a post-secondary institution
    Cost:Free

    Kids Help Phone

    Phone: 1-800-668-6868
    Website: kidshelpphone.ca
    Who You’ll See: Counsellors with advanced degrees in Social Work & Psychology
    Format: Phone (24/7) or online chat (7pm–midnight)
    Cost:Free

    Pacific Post Partum Support Society

    Phone: 1-855-255-7999
    Text/Phone: 604-255-7999
    Website: postpartum.org
    Who You’ll See: Counsellors trained in perinatal mental health
    Format: Phone or text, Mon–Fri 10am–3pm
    Cost:Free

    Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) – North & West Vancouver

    Phone: 604-987-6859
    Website: northwestvancouver.cmha.bc.ca
    Who You’ll See: RCC or RCC Intern
    Format: Virtual (Zoom or phone), Ages 19+
    Cost: $60 (RCC) / $35 (Intern)

    Ciel Community Counselling

    Email: cielcommunitycounselling@gmail.com
    Website: cielcommunitycounselling.com
    Who You’ll See: Masters-level interns under supervision
    Format: Virtual, adults
    Cost: $45 individual / $70 couples

    Stewart & Associates – Low-Cost Counselling

    Phone: 604-687-7171
    Website: counsellingservicesvancouver.com
    Who You’ll See: Master’s interns under supervision
    Format: Virtual or phone
    Cost: Starting at $30

    Open Door Community Counselling

    Email: info@open-door.ca
    Website: open-door.ca
    Who You’ll See: Masters interns under supervision
    Format: Virtual
    Cost: $50

    Oak Counselling Services Society

    Phone: 604-266-5611
    Website: oakcounselling.org
    Who You’ll See: Master’s-trained counsellors
    Format: Phone or video
    Cost: Sliding scale $15–$100

    Mood Disorders Association of BC

    Phone: 604-873-0103 ext. 2
    Website: mdabc.net
    Who You’ll See: Master’s-level counsellors
    Format: Video
    Cost: $50–$105 (varies by counsellor type)

    Moving Forward Family Services

    Phone: 1-877-485-5025
    Website: movingforward.help
    Who You’ll See: Certified therapists + interns
    Format: Video or phone
    Cost:
    • $50–$65 (individual/couples/family)
    • $20–$35 (intern)

    Turning Point Therapy

    Phone: 604-638-7221
    Website: counselling-vancouver.com
    Who You’ll See: Master’s interns under supervision
    Format: Online or in-person (Vancouver)
    Cost: $35 for first 10 sessions, then $45

    Expressive Wellness Counselling

    Phone: 604-657-0960
    Website: expressivewellness.ca
    Who You’ll See: Practicum students under supervision
    Format: In-person, video, or phone
    Cost:
    • $25–$100 individual
    • $50–$150 couples/family

    Living Systems Counselling

    Phone: 604-926-5496
    Website: livingsystems.ca
    Who You’ll See: Certified counsellors & interns
    Format: Video
    Cost: $15–$65

    Braden Blackmon Counselling

    Phone: 604-989-7528
    Email: bradenblackmoncounselling@gmail.com
    Address: Suite 2A-5477 Wharf Ave, Sechelt BC
    Who You’ll See: Master’s intern under supervision
    Format: In-person, online, or phone
    Cost: $50–$90
    Ages: Children, youth, adults, couples, families

    BounceBack BC (CBT-Based Program)

    Phone: 1-866-639-0522
    Website: bouncebackbc.ca
    Format: Up to 6 sessions + workbooks
    Requirement: Referral from physician, NP, psychiatrist, or school counsellor

    Self-Management Health Coach Program

    Phone: 1-866-902-3767
    Website: selfmanagementbc.ca
    Format: Weekly phone sessions for 3 months
    For: Individuals with chronic health conditions (including mental health)

    Pathways Serious Mental Illness Society

    Phone: 604-926-0856
    Website: pathwayssmi.org
    Who You’ll See: Family peer support volunteers
    Format: Phone or email
    For: Family/significant others supporting someone with serious mental illness
    Cost: Free

    Hospice Support (Sunshine Coast & Elk Valley)

    Sunshine Coast Hospice Phone: 604-740-0475
    Website: coasthospice.com

    Elk Valley Hospice Phone: 250-423-4453 ext. 38109
    Website: elkvalleyhospice.com

    Who You’ll See: Trained volunteers
    Format: Phone, in-person support
    For: Individuals grieving, seriously ill, or supporting loved ones

    BC Bereavement Helpline

    Phone: 1-877-779-2223
    Website: bcbh.ca
    Who You’ll See: Compassionate-listening trained volunteers
    Format: Phone
    For: Grief-specific concerns
    Cost: Free

    Crisis Line Association of BC

    Phone:
    • 604-872-3311
    • 604-872-0113 (TTY)
    • 1-866-661-3311
    • 1-866-872-0113 (TTY)
    Website: crisislines.bc.ca
    Who You’ll See: Crisis line workers trained in crisis & suicide intervention
    Format: Phone
    Ages: All ages
    Cost: Free