A healthcare showdown could be looming in Canada after a private emergency care centre, the False Creek Urgent Care Centre, opened in Vancouver yesterday. Why has this attracted the attention of reporters, politicians and even some demonstrators?

For a start, Gordon Campbell, Premier of British Columbia (B.C.), has threatened prosecution, add to this a new bill which authorizes auditors to monitor the clinic's activities, plus the fact that it is against the law to make patients pay for treatment which is deemed as medically necessary.

Yesterday, George Abbott, B.C Health Minister, has asked that auditors inspect the centre. It looks as though the audit will happen and Abbott says he expects the centre to 'comply fully with all requests made of it by the commission.'

The centre charges $199 for an evaluation, $20 for a jab, and $75 for an X-ray. If a patient requires intensive care, the centre will stabilize him/her and send him/her to another hospital. The centre, which is open seven days a week, from 8 am till 11 pm, will initially operate with 24 ER doctors.

The False Creek Urgent Care Centre was founded by Dr. Mark Godley, medical director of the False Creek Surgical Centre.