Other arthritis services and community services
The Mary Pack Arthritis Program is not the only provider of arthritis services in British Columbia. Other services are available in the public and private health-care system.
Hospital arthritis services
- Require a doctor’s referral
- Are covered by the Medical Services Plan (MSP)
- Usually have the expertise to deal with complex types of arthritis (e.g., inflammatory arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis)
Richmond Hospital Arthritis Service (in the Community Health Access Centre)
- Primarily for people living in Richmond and South Vancouver
- Physical therapy and occupational therapy services
- See all types of inflammatory arthritis and multi-joint osteoarthritis
Lions Gate Hospital
- For people living on the North Shore, Sunshine Coast or Sea-to-Sky Highway
- Physical therapy and occupational therapy services
- Sees all types of inflammatory arthritis and multi-joint osteoarthritis
Holy Family Hospital
- For people aged 55 years and older
- See people after joint replacement surgery and with osteoarthritis who have multiple health conditions
- Physical therapy and occupational therapy services
To find services for osteoarthritis please visit:
To find a rheumatologist please visit:
Private practice providers
- Do not require a doctor’s referral
- May be covered by Extended Health Benefits or are paid for out of pocket
- Generally have short or no wait times to receive service
- Usually have the expertise to treat common types of arthritis, such as osteoarthritis, or soft tissue conditions like tendonitis, frozen shoulder, bursitis, etc.
- back pain
- Have the expertise to treat people after joint replacement surgery
Find a private practitioner
To find private practitioners near you please visit these links
- PABC – to find Physical Therapists
- CAOT – to find Occupational Therapists
- HealthLink B.C. – to find arthritis services
- Pathways B.C.
Other helpful arthritis resources
Arthritis Society Canada
Arthritis Society Canada provides a wide range of resources and services to support people with arthritis in British Columbia and the Yukon Territories. This includes arthritis online tools and information, community groups; disease-specific support groups; public forums and webinars and telephone support.
Arthritis Consumer Experts
Arthritis Consumer Experts is Canada’s largest patient-led organization that provides free, science-based information and education programs in both official languages to people with arthritis. ACE provides current news on research, disease and treatment information to help them take control of their disease, and change their arthritis experience for the better.