Standing for Research, Education, and Action for Community Health, The REACH Centre was developed in 1969 by paediatrician Dr Roger Tonkin as a site for University of British Columbia Medical residents to gain practical medical experience in the community.

Over the years the clinic has grown beyond its educational roots to a full health centre, with an increased focus on immigrants, reflecting the multicultural makeup of our community. REACH has always been on Commercial Drive, and in 2017 it opened its new, expanded facility.

REACH is a CHC model that incorporates urgent care. The REACH Urgent and Primary Care Centre (UPCC) provides care for people with non-life-threatening conditions who need to see a health-care provider within 12 to 24 hours, but do not require an emergency department.

This centre expands services to meet the health care needs of even more people who live and work in the community and serves to help attach patients to a regular primary care provider. To facilitate this, the centre attaches patients to health-care providers at REACH, and will attach patients on an interim basis while they arrange for patients to be connected to other local practices.