Health Care Resources After Dr. Nel’s Practice Closes

Health Care Resources After Dr. Nel’s Practice Closes

Information verified: July 27, 2026
Dr. Eben Nel’s family practice will close on October 31, 2026. This guide explains how to look for a new family doctor or nurse practitioner and where to obtain health care after the practice closes.
At present, there is no replacement physician taking over Dr. Nel’s practice. Contacting or registering with a service does not guarantee that a provider, appointment, prescription, or particular treatment will be available.
This list is not exhaustive. Services, eligibility requirements, locations, hours, and contact information may change. Please call or check the website listed before attending.

Before October 31, 2026
Until October 31, 2026, Dr. Nel will continue providing care within the usual capacity of the practice. If you have a medical concern that requires attention before October 31, 2026, and do not already have an appointment, please contact the practice promptly. Due to increased demand, appointment availability may be limited.
For most routine medication renewals, an appointment is not necessary. Please submit renewal requests through your usual pharmacy, which can fax them directly to the clinic until October 31, 2026.

1. Find a New Family Doctor or Nurse Practitioner

Health Connect Registry
The Health Connect Registry is the provincial system used to match people who need a long-term primary care provider with family doctors or nurse practitioners who have capacity.
Register online:
https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/find-care/health-connect-registry
Register or obtain help by phone: 8-1-1
Deaf or hard of hearing: 7-1-1
Have the following ready:
• Your Personal Health Number, found on your BC Services Card or BC driver’s licence
• Your current home address
• Your email address
• Your telephone number

You may register yourself, members of your family, or a person in your care. Translation is available in more than 130 languages. After calling 8-1-1, say the language you require and an interpreter will be added to the call.
Begin the registration process now and answer all questions accurately. If the form indicates that you still have a primary care provider, does not allow you to complete registration, or you need to provide additional information, call 8-1-1. Explain that you have received written notice that Dr. Nel’s practice will close on October 31, 2026.

Other ways to look for primary care
The Health Connect Registry should be your main route. You may also:
• Search the Pathways Medical Care Directory using its “Find Care” tool: https://pathwaysmedicalcare.ca/
• Ask family members or friends whether their family doctor or nurse practitioner is accepting new patients.
• Contact clinics advertising that they are accepting patients and confirm their current intake process.

Listings and availability can change quickly.

2. HIV Care
Maintaining uninterrupted HIV treatment and appropriate laboratory monitoring is important. If you do not have a confirmed provider for your HIV care after October 31, contact one of the services below before your medication or laboratory requisition expires.

John Ruedy Clinic at St. Paul’s Hospital
The John Ruedy Clinic provides interdisciplinary primary and specialty care for people living with HIV. Services include physician and nursing care, pharmacy, social work, case management, peer support, and dietitian services.
Self-referrals are accepted. Call to confirm current intake arrangements and whether the clinic can assume your HIV care, primary care, or both.
Address: 5th Floor, Burrard Building, St. Paul’s Hospital
1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver
Phone: 604-806-8060
Email: JRCinfo@providencehealth.bc.ca
Website:
https://www.providencehealthcare.org/en/clinics/john-ruedy-clinic

STOP HIV Outreach Team
The STOP HIV Outreach Team assists people experiencing barriers to starting, reconnecting with, or remaining engaged in HIV care. Services include linkage to care, case management, treatment support, and basic primary care until an ongoing provider is found.
Self-referrals are accepted.
Address: Three Bridges Community Health Centre
1128 Hornby Street, Vancouver
Phone: 604-838-1331
Website:
https://www.vch.ca/en/service/stop-hiv-outreach-team

Help finding an HIV treatment provider
Vancouver Coastal Health Public Health may help people connect with HIV testing or treatment.
Phone: 604-675-3900
Website:
https://www.vch.ca/en/health-topics/hiv

HIV medication dispensing
If your HIV medication is dispensed by the St. Paul’s Hospital Ambulatory Pharmacy, contact the pharmacy early regarding medication pickup or delivery.
Phone: 1-800-547-3622
After-hours pharmacy line: 1-888-511-6222
Website:
https://bccfe.ca/how-to-obtain-hiv-treatment-medication/
The pharmacy cannot replace the need for a valid prescription or ongoing clinical monitoring. Contact an HIV care service before your medication runs low.

3. PrEP Care
PrEP requires ongoing prescriptions and regular HIV, kidney, and STI testing. Arrange new PrEP follow-up before your current prescription or laboratory requisition expires.

Health Initiative for Men
For gay, bisexual, and queer men and gender-diverse people in Vancouver, Health Initiative for Men provides PrEP eligibility assessment, onboarding, prescribing, laboratory requisitions, and follow-up.
For eligible patients, HIM is an important option for ongoing PrEP care.
HIM on Davie
Suite 416, 1033 Davie Street, Vancouver
PrEP phone: 604-675-2767
HIM on the Drive
1145 Commercial Drive, Vancouver
Phone: 778-708-3568
PrEP information:
https://checkhimout.ca/programs-and-services/sexual/prep/
Appointments and current hours:
https://checkhimout.ca/programs-and-services/sexual/appointment/
When contacting HIM, explain that Dr. Nel’s practice will close on October 31, 2026. If you are already followed by HIM, call 604-675-2767 with prescription, requisition, or follow-up questions.

BCCDC STI Clinic
The BCCDC STI Clinic can prescribe PrEP for people who do not have a family doctor or nurse practitioner. Services are free and confidential, and MSP is not required for clinic services. Call to confirm eligibility and arrange an appointment.
Address: 655 West 12th Avenue, Vancouver
Phone: 604-707-5600
Website:
https://www.bccdc.ca/our-services/our-clinics/sexually-transmitted-infections-clinics

Possible recent HIV exposure
PrEP is taken before exposure. If you may have been exposed to HIV and are not adequately protected by PrEP, post-exposure prophylaxis must be started as soon as possible and no later than 72 hours after exposure.
Go to the nearest urgent care or emergency department. Do not wait for a routine clinic appointment.

4. STI and Sexual Health Care

Routine testing without symptoms
GetCheckedOnline is operated by the BC Centre for Disease Control. It allows eligible people to create a laboratory form online, provide samples at a participating LifeLabs location, and receive results online or by telephone.
Testing can include chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis C.
Website:
https://getcheckedonline.com/
You require an access code to create an account, but you do not need a BC health card. This service is intended for routine testing and is not appropriate for urgent concerns.

Symptoms, a known STI contact, or treatment needs
If you have STI symptoms, have been told that a partner has an STI, require treatment, or need to speak with a nurse, contact the BCCDC STI Clinic rather than relying on online testing.
BCCDC STI Clinic
655 West 12th Avenue, Vancouver
Phone: 604-707-5600
Website:
https://www.bccdc.ca/our-services/our-clinics/sexually-transmitted-infections-clinics

Vancouver Coastal Health sexual health clinics
VCH sexual health clinics offer free, confidential testing, treatment, immunization, and counselling. Services and access methods vary by location.
Appointments and clinic finder:
https://www.vch.ca/en/service/sexual-health-clinics
Youth age 24 and under: 778-871-7132

HIM sexual health services
HIM offers confidential HIV and STI testing and treatment for gay, bisexual, and queer men and gender-diverse people. Check current appointments, walk-in availability, and hours before attending.
Website:
https://checkhimout.ca/programs-and-services/sexual/appointment/

5. Cancer Care

If you are currently receiving care from BC Cancer
Continue following the instructions from your oncology team. Contact your cancer care team directly about appointments, treatment, new or worsening cancer-related symptoms, or treatment side effects.
BC Cancer patients at participating regional centres can speak with an oncology-trained registered nurse about cancer-treatment symptoms 24 hours a day:
BC Cancer Provincial Nurse Line:
1-833-818-ONCO (1-833-818-6626)
The nurse line cannot change appointments or provide test results.
BC Cancer Vancouver: 604-877-6000
Toll-free within BC: 1-800-663-3333
Website:
https://www.bccancer.bc.ca/our-services/centres-clinics/bc-cancer-vancouver

Pending cancer tests, referrals, or surveillance
If you are already under the care of a specialist or BC Cancer, contact that team directly about outstanding cancer-related tests, results, referrals, surveillance, treatment, or follow-up.
If you are not under the care of a specialist and require assessment or follow-up after the practice closes, call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1 for direction or seek clinical assessment through a walk-in clinic or Urgent and Primary Care Centre. Go to an emergency department for a serious or rapidly worsening concern.

New or worsening symptoms
Cancer screening is intended for people without symptoms. New symptoms require clinical assessment and should not be managed only by booking a screening test.
Seek assessment through a walk-in clinic, an Urgent and Primary Care Centre, or an emergency department depending on urgency.

BC Cancer screening programs
BC Cancer operates breast, cervix, colon, and lung screening programs. Eligibility and follow-up requirements differ by program.
Screening information:
https://www.bccancer.bc.ca/screening
Breast Screening: 1-800-663-9203
Cervix Screening: 1-877-702-6566
Colon Screening: 1-877-702-6566
Lung Screening: 1-877-717-5864
If you receive a result requiring follow-up, do not wait until you find a new family doctor. Contact the screening program using the number on your result letter and ask how follow-up will be arranged for a patient without a primary care provider.

6. Mental Health and Substance Use

Immediate danger or a life-threatening crisis
Call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest emergency department.

Thoughts of suicide or urgent crisis support
Call or text 9-8-8, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Access and Assessment Centre at Vancouver General Hospital
For Vancouver residents aged 17 and older with non-life-threatening mental health or substance use concerns, the Access and Assessment Centre provides intake, assessment, crisis intervention, short-term treatment, and referral to VCH services.
It is not a service for routine prescription renewals.
Address: 803 West 12th Avenue, Vancouver
Phone: 604-675-3700
Website:
https://www.vch.ca/en/location-service/access-and-assessment-centre-aac-vancouver-general-hospital

Additional supports
310 Mental Health Support: 310-6789 without an area code
Provides emotional support, information, and resources.
ACCESS Central: 1-866-658-1221
Screening and referral for Vancouver detoxification services.
Opioid Treatment Access Line: 1-833-804-8111
Same-day connection to opioid agonist treatment.
KUU-US Crisis Response Service: 1-800-588-8717
Culturally aware crisis support for Indigenous people in BC.
Foundry Virtual BC:
https://foundrybc.ca/foundry-virtual-bc/
Free virtual mental health and wellness services for young people aged 12 to 24 and their caregivers.
HIM counselling: 604-488-1001 ext. 235
Short-term and reduced-cost counselling options for eligible gay, bisexual, and queer men and gender-diverse people. HIM is not a crisis service.

7. Gender-Affirming Care

Trans Care BC Health Navigation
Trans Care BC helps Two-Spirit, trans, and non-binary people identify care pathways and find gender-affirming services and supports throughout BC. It provides navigation rather than direct medical or crisis care.
Toll-free: 1-866-999-1514
Email: transcareteam@phsa.ca
Website:
https://www.transcarebc.ca/

VCH Trans Specialty Care
VCH Trans Specialty Care provides specialized care to eligible trans and gender-diverse people living in the Vancouver Coastal Health region. Services include hormone initiation and stabilization, post-operative nursing care, surgical planning, and referrals.
Call to self-refer and confirm current eligibility and intake arrangements.
Address: Three Bridges Community Health Centre
1128 Hornby Street, Vancouver
Intake: 604-331-8901
Website:
https://www.vch.ca/en/service/trans-specialty-care

8. Medical Care While You Wait for a New Provider

If you have a serious or complex ongoing illness
When registering with the Health Connect Registry, provide information about your current health conditions, treatment, and care needs where requested. Call 8-1-1 if you need help adding information or updating your health status.
If you are already followed by a specialist or specialty clinic, continue contacting that team directly for condition-specific care. If you do not have an appropriate specialist or need help identifying an interim service, call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1.
For an urgent, non-life-threatening concern, seek assessment through a walk-in clinic or Urgent and Primary Care Centre. For a serious or rapidly worsening concern, go to an emergency department or call 9-1-1.

HealthLink BC
Call 8-1-1 at any time for health advice and help finding services. A navigator can connect you with a registered nurse, pharmacist, dietitian, exercise professional, or another available health professional.
Translation is available in more than 130 languages.
Phone: 8-1-1
Deaf or hard of hearing: 7-1-1
Website and service directory:
https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/
HealthLink BC is not a substitute for emergency care and does not provide ongoing family practice.

Urgent and Primary Care Centres
Urgent and Primary Care Centres provide same-day care for urgent, non-life-threatening concerns that should generally be assessed within approximately 12 to 24 hours.
They are not emergency departments and generally do not provide ongoing care. Capacity may be reached before closing. Check current hours and wait times before attending.
Wait times:
https://www.edwaittimes.ca/
Vancouver City Centre UPCC
188 Nelson Street, Vancouver
Phone: 604-416-1811
REACH UPCC
1145 Commercial Drive, Vancouver
Phone: 604-216-3138
Northeast UPCC
Unit 102, 2788 East Hastings Street, Vancouver
Phone: 604-675-2599
Southeast UPCC
5880 Victoria Drive, Vancouver
Phone: 604-675-3210
UBC UPCC
6165 Agronomy Road, Vancouver
Phone: 236-466-6196
For a life-threatening emergency, call 9-1-1 or go to an emergency department.

9. Medication Renewals, Bloodwork, and Monitoring
After the practice closes, ask your pharmacist whether they can renew or adapt a prescription or provide an emergency supply. This depends on the medication, the original prescription, your clinical circumstances, and the pharmacist’s assessment. It is not guaranteed.
BC pharmacists can assess and treat 21 minor ailments and prescribe contraception. Eligible in-person minor-ailment assessments are free for BC residents with a Personal Health Number.
BC pharmacy services and online booking:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/accessing-health-care/pharmacy-services
Booking assistance and translation: 1-833-882-0022
Do not wait until you are out of medication. This is particularly important for HIV treatment, PrEP, anticoagulants, insulin, seizure medication, psychiatric medication, and other medication that should not be interrupted.
After October 31, 2026, new prescriptions, laboratory or imaging requisitions, and clinical follow-up must be arranged through another authorized health care provider.
A laboratory or imaging facility can perform a test but generally does not interpret the result or arrange all required follow-up.

Results from tests ordered before the closure date
Results from tests that Dr. Nel orders before October 31, 2026 will be reviewed and acted on as appropriate. You may not be contacted about routine results. Many results can be viewed in Health Gateway. Spectrum Health reception cannot interpret results or provide medical advice.

10. Medical Records and Health Information

Medical records
Spectrum Health will retain your medical records after Dr. Nel’s practice closes.
To request a copy, or to ask that records be transferred to a new physician, nurse practitioner, or clinic, call Spectrum Health reception.
Spectrum Health reception
Phone: 604-681-1080
Address: Suite 702, 1080 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2T1
Spectrum Health may require a signed authorization before releasing or transferring records.
Its current policy states that a personal copy of a chart may have a processing fee. Transfer to a new family physician is free when Spectrum Health receives a written request with the patient’s consent. Confirm the current process and any applicable fee with reception.
Do not send personal medical information by ordinary email. Registering with the Health Connect Registry does not automatically transfer your medical record.

Health Gateway
Health Gateway is BC’s secure patient portal. It can show many laboratory results, public health authority imaging reports, prescription medication history, health visits, immunizations, and BC Cancer screening letters.
Website:
https://gov.bc.ca/healthgateway
Health Gateway does not contain every medical record. Results displayed in the portal may still require clinical interpretation and follow-up.

Not Sure Where to Start?
If this guide does not address your health-care need, or if you are unsure where to seek care, call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1.
For a life-threatening emergency, call 9-1-1.