The new Peterborough Community Health Centre (PCHC) is opening a temporary location at Peterborough Square and will be accommodating patients “as soon as possible” — which could be by this fall.
The PCHC has announced it will operate the new health care clinic at 360 George Street in downtown Peterborough, in the former space held by TD Canada Trust just south of Simcoe Street, for the first 12 months.
“We are very excited about the potential impact of the (PCHC) in its first year at Peterborough Square,” David Jeffery, interim co-executive director of the PCHC, told kawarthaNOW.
“Our main objective is to establish a solid foundation for providing high-quality, accessible health care to the community,” Jeffrey said about the next 12 months. “Integrating successfully into the community and forming strong partnerships with local organizations are key priorities for us.”
“We aim to offer not only medical care but also mental health support, traditional healing, and community wellness programs. By doing so, we hope to foster a welcoming environment where every individual feels seen, heard, and cared for.”
Jeffrey said the priority right out of the gate is the hiring of a dedicated team of health care professionals, including physicians, nurse practitioners, traditional healers, and allied health professionals.
“Our goal is to start seeing clients as early as this fall, and to demonstrate the positive support that integrated, interprofessional care can make in people’s lives,” Jeffery said. “Laying a solid foundation for the PCHC that will sustain its mission for years to come is ultimately our goal during this initial year.”
This development follows the provincial government’s announcement in February 2024 of about $4.8 million in annual funding for the PCHC. The PCHC will provide comprehensive primary care and allied health services.
Opening the clinic promptly to meet the needs of the community is a top priority, noted Jonathan Bennett, PCHC board chair, in a media release.
“We aim to open our doors as quickly as possible,” Bennett said. “Peterborough Square was chosen because it can be quickly converted into suitable clinic space, allowing us to see clients sooner.”
With its slated fall opening, the PCHC aims to bring up to 30 new health care jobs to the area. This includes physicians, nurse practitioners, traditional healers, and dedicated allied health professionals such as a dietitian, a physiotherapist, mental health counsellors, and Indigenous knowledge keepers — “all collaborating to provide interprofessional team-based care under one roof.”
The PCHC will also offer community programs at no cost that support the physical, mental, and spiritual well-being of residents, the release noted.
The organization is seeking an interim location for the health care clinic following the 12-month lease at Peterborough Square.
“We’re going to take our time to make sure we pick an interim space that’s really going to meet our needs for growth and scale over several years ahead,” Bennett said.
Plans for a permanent location for PCHC are still in the early stages.
