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If your loved one wishes to spend their remaining time at home, you do not have to do it alone. This section connects you directly to BC health authority nursing teams, free palliative medication programs, and local medical equipment loans to keep them comfortable. You do not need a referral from a doctor or nurse practitioner to request an assessment; any patient, family member, or trusted caregiver can initiate this process directly.
By submitting a self-referral, you connect with Island Health’s Home and Community Care team, a dedicated network of registered nurses, counselors, and end-of-life specialists. Our local community care team will work closely with your existing family physician to provide specialized clinical services, complex pain management, and caregiver respite designed around your needs and choices.
How to Initiate a Palliative Care Self-Referrral
Again, you do not need a doctor’s prescription or referral. If a patient chooses to remain at home anywhere within the Southern Gulf Islands jurisdiction, medical care is managed by Island Health's Home and Community Care Nursing Team.
1) Immediate Intake Assessment: Once you contact our South Island Access Line: 250-388-2273 (or toll-free at 1-888-533-2273), an intake nurse will review your immediate medical needs and coordinate care logistics. Intake Hours: 8:30 am to 10:30 pm, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
2) The Phone Assessment: An intake nurse will ask questions about current health status, active diagnoses, local support networks, and immediate nursing needs.
3) In-Home Nursing Consultation: A local community nurse will follow up to schedule a supportive, in-person assessment at your home to organize care schedules and medical equipment.
4) The Home Visit: The intake team routes the file to the local Salt Spring or Southern Gulf Islands community nursing group. A registered nurse will then call you to arrange an in-person, at-home clinical safety and nursing care assessment.
5) Services: Registered nurses visit the home to provide specialized end-of-life clinical care. This includes complex pain and symptom management, medication administration, supportive counselling, and coordinating the medical supplies and equipment component of the
BC Palliative Care Benefits Program.
Community Volunteer Support
Clinical nursing care at the hospital and at home is closely paired with volunteer-led emotional and navigational support.
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Organization: Salt Spring Hospice Society
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Phone: 250-537-2770
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Address: 118 Fulford-Ganges Rd (Unit 202), Salt Spring Island, BC
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Hours: Monday to Friday: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
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Services: Compassionate companion visits at the bedside or at home, grief and bereavement counselling, and advance care planning guidance.
Wider Island Health General Access Lines
If you, a client or family member, live outside of the Southern Gulf Islands area, contact your designated geographic intake team to request a palliative care nurse consultant.
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Central Island Intake: 250-739-5749 (Toll-Free: 1-877-734-4104) for communities from Mill Bay up to Deep Bay, including Nanaimo and Gabriola Island.
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North Island Intake: 250-331-8570 (Toll-Free: 1-866-928-4988) for communities north of Deep Bay, including Campbell River, Port Hardy and Tofino.
* Before calling the intake lines, make sure you have the person's BC Services Card number, full name, and date of birth ready to speed up the registration process.
Palliative Care Drug Plan (Plan P)
Full coverage for eligible prescription medications to support comfort and quality of life during end-of-life care.
To receive 100% provincial coverage for palliative medications and medical supplies at home, an individual must meet the following baseline requirements:
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Residency: Must be a British Columbia resident with active Medical Services Plan (MSP) coverage.
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Location: Must be living at home, which includes staying with family/friends, in supportive living, or in an assisted living residence.
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Diagnosis: Must be diagnosed with a life-threatening illness or medical condition at an advanced stage.
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Prognosis: Have a life expectancy typically measured up to six months.
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Focus of Care: The individual must consent to medical care that focuses entirely on comfort and quality of life rather than treatment aimed at a cure.
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Application: A physician or nurse practitioner must submit the official registration form on the patient's behalf.
Medical Equipment Loans
Access to essential mobility aids, bathroom safety gear, and hospital beds to support safe independent living at home.
Free Short-Term Loans (Red Cross HELP)
The Canadian Red Cross Health Equipment Loan Program (HELP) operates directly on Salt Spring Island to provide short-term medical equipment loans. If you require long-term use or specialized setups, there are also dedicated local and regional equipment suppliers servicing the community.
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Available Equipment: Wheelchairs, walkers, bath seats, crutches, canes, commodes, and bed handles.
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Requirements: A formal referral from a regulated healthcare professional (such as a doctor, nurse, physical therapist, or occupational therapist) is required.
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Location: Downstairs at the Lady Minto Gulf Islands Hospital, 135 Crofton Road, Salt Spring Island, BC.
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Hours: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
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Contact: Phone (250) 538-4834
Long Term Sales and Support
For long-term needs, custom fittings, or equipment purchases, a local provider operates directly on the island:
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Salt Spring Island Medical Equipment
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Services: Specialized mobility equipment and home care setups.
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Location: 166 Wildwood Crescent, Salt Spring, BC.
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Contact: Phone (250) 537-1990
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