When Dr. Wagdy Rayes retired at the end of June and closed his practice at Apsley Medical Centre, residents of the town of Apsley were left without a family doctor.
While the search for a new family doctor for Apsley continues, the Peterborough Family Health Team (PFHT) has been exploring temporary solutions since Dr. Rayes announced his retirement. There are around 1,000 residents of Apsley who currently do not have a family doctor.
“It is Peterborough Family Health Team’s responsibility to ensure all residents of the City and Country of Peterborough have access to adequate primary health care services,” says PFHT Executive Director Lori Richey.
“We continue to search for a permanent family doctor to take over the primary care for patients, but in the meantime we need a solution. People cannot go without access to care.”
One of the temporary solutions is a telemedicine clinic, where patients could consult with a “virtual” family doctor.
VIDEO: Telemedicine puts a doctor virtually at your bedside
Telemedicine uses telecommunication and information technology to provide clinical health care from a distance. The doctor and the patient communicate through a computer, with a registered practical nurse present to conduct any physical examination required, to take blood pressure, administer medications, etc.
Through the use of technology, the virtual doctor is able to see the patient’s vital signs in real time. The virtual doctor can also provide prescriptions.
This temporary clinic would also enroll patients and then, once a new family dcotor is recruited and is running a practice, smoothly transition them to the new family doctor.
“The Peterborough Family Health Team has supported our community in terms of providing basic primary care to our residents,” says Mayor Rick Woodcock of North Kawartha Township. “I have no doubt that once the pieces are aligned for the telemedicine service, our town will once again have access to the care we require.”
While PFHT works on implementing the telemedicine approach, Apsley residents who require care have the following options:
- Visit the Lakefield VON Nurse Practitioner Clinic at 150 Strickland Street in Lakefield. The clinic is open Wednesdays and Thursdays. Residents are encouraged to book an appointment in advance by calling 705-651-4866.
- Visit Peterborough Regional Health Centre at 1 Hospital Drive in Peterborough if you urgently require health care services.
While there is a Nurse Practitioner Hub at 183 Burleigh Street in Apsley, that service is currently at full capacity and can only provide care to patients who are already enrolled. When a new family doctor has been recruited, the nurse practitioner and all enrolled patients will be transferred to the new family practice.
For more information on the Peterborough Family Health Team, visit www.peterboroughfht.com.
