The county is set to reopen the Port Hope Medical Walk-in Clinic to address the critical need for accessible primary care services, particularly for over 4,000 residents without a physician.
Following a motion from Port Hope Mayor Olena Hankivsky, Council directed staff to engage partners for a one-year pilot project with the Community Health Centres of Northumberland (CHCN).
According to Hankivsky, teamwork on all levels had made it possible.
Hankivsky expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support from the community and funding partners, stating, “The momentum and support behind the reestablishment of the clinic are testament to our community’s commitment to ensuring accessible health care for all. We extend our heartfelt appreciation to our primary funder – the Port Hope and District Health Care Foundation – along with the Town of Cobourg, the Port Hope Rotary Club, Loyalist College, and other community partners for their generous contributions to the success of this undertaking.”
Recruitment of physicians is underway, and the clinic is expected to open in July with proposed operating hours currently slated for Wednesdays and Fridays from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., subject to final scheduling.
Hankivsky tells us about the county’s contribution.
The goal is to accommodate approximately 7,000 patient visits during the pilot. Hankivsky says there are over 4,000 unrostered patients in Northumberland County and growing.
“The CHCN is pleased to be able to support this important initiative that will provide access to primary care services for those Northumberland residents who are currently unattached,” says CHCH Executive Director Taryn Rennicks. “This walk-in clinic will provide services for medical concerns that require attention, mitigating the need for community members to visit hospital emergency departments or travel outside of the community for care.”
Recognizing primary care as integral to the healthcare continuum, the County plans to transition leadership for this service to a community healthcare partner in the future.
County Warden Brian Ostrander emphasized the pressing need for this service, stating, “With a high number of unattached patients in Northumberland, it is essential that we leverage expertise and resources across partnerships to meet local needs. Together, the County and the CHCN will pilot a restoration of services via the Port Hope Medical Walk-in Clinic as a crucial step towards ensuring accessible health care for all residents.”
(Written by: Joseph Goden)
