Accessing health care

Find health care near you and learn how you can apply for financial aid when you need to travel for medical purposes.

Services and information topics

Pharmacy Services in B.C.

Pharmacists are an important part of your health care team and offer a wide variety of services in more than 1,400 community pharmacies throughout B.C.

You can book an appointment or walk-in to an available pharmacy to discuss your minor ailments and contraception needs. 

Health fee for international students

Effective September 1, 2019, international students studying on a valid study permit for at least six months of the year in British Columbia pay a health fee to contribute to and benefit from B.C.’s health-care coverage.

Home & Community Care

Publicly subsidized home and community care services provide a range of health care and support services for people who have acute, chronic, palliative or rehabilitative health-care needs.

Finding Assisted Living or Residential Care

People who need assistance on a daily basis may consider moving into an assisted living residence or a licensed community care facility. Both types of accommodation are regulated under the Community Care and Assisted Living Act; however, there are some key differences between them.

Travel and accommodation assistance

Programs and services are available to help with the cost of medical travel and accommodations for B.C. residents who must travel from their home to access medical care. 

Surgical Wait Times

There are more than 300,000 surgeries performed in British Columbia each year. More than half of these are emergency or unscheduled procedures and never appear on a waitlist. These cases are not included on this website.