Learning to navigate the medical system of a new country can be daunting, but once you have your medical insurance and know where to go for what ailment, the services available in Abbotsford are quite accessible. See below for where to find the right medical service for each scenario.
General Health Support
Call 811 to speak to a nurse anytime day or night, and/or to be referred to the appropriate clinic.
While insured with Guard.me, you can also use their mobileDoctor service for free.
For on-campus wellness support:
Mental Health Resources
Free counselling and mental health resources are available on campus through UFV Counselling.
Empower Me offers free, confidential mental health and wellness services 24/7, in various languages, through your UFV credentials.
Here2Talk is a another free mental health resource for post-secondary students. Support is available 24/7 via phone, app, and web.
Medical Services
If you're using GuardMe, be sure to call ahead for whichever service you're seeking to ensure that they are able to direct bill GuardMe. Present your health care card to the front desk at whichever medical service you access. For information about getting medical insurance in Canada, see our section on Required Medical Insurance. Most doctors’ visits, common tests and procedures, and many medications are either fully or partially covered by your health insurance.
The South Asian Health Institute has put together a helpful resource for newcomers to Canada:
Health services available to you - Fraser Health Authority
Pharmacies
Pharmacies are where you can buy medicine, first aid supplies, toiletries, and access a pharmacist. Pharmacists can assist you with recommending the right medications for common problems, as well as filling prescriptions written by a doctor.
See this map to find your nearest pharmacy.
Walk-in Clinics
Walk-in clinics are for most health concerns. They can often see you the same day.
Below is a link to MediMap which lists all walk-in clinics in the area.
CALL AHEAD - most require an appointment, despite the name “walk-in”, for in-person appointments.
Urgent Care
Urgent care is for when you need to be seen within the next 12-24 hours and are unable to get into a walk-in clinic. This includes (but is not limited to):
- Coughs/colds
- Minor infections
- New wounds or cuts
- Mild back pain
- Concerns about STI’s
- General headaches and fatigue
Emergency Rooms
Emergency rooms are for anything that must be resolved immediately. This includes (but is not limited to):
- Chest pain
- Trouble breathing
- Bleeding that won’t stop
- Suspected stroke
- Overdose or poisoning
- Mental health crisis
- Broken bones/dislocated joints
Emergency rooms should ONLY be used for emergencies. Even then, there is often a long wait as doctors will prioritize patients with the most urgent needs. Some waits can be hours long.
Abbotsford Regional Hospital Emergency Room