A doctor is (back) in the house in the Municipality of Port Hope.
Northumberland County announced on Wednesday (August 14) that residents can turn to the Port Hope Medical Walk-in Clinic as of Saturday (August 17), with the service returning to patients in the west Northumberland community.
The clinic re-opens its doors as part of a one-year pilot program, delivered in partnership between Northumberland County and the Community Health Centres of Northumberland (CHCN). The partners will then evaluate the feasibility of providing these medical walk-in services on a permanent basis.
Located at 99 Toronto Rd. on the second floor, this clinic will improve access to health care services for thousands of Northumberland residents who do not currently have a family doctor or nurse practitioner, Northumberland County noted in a media release.
“The need for these services cannot be overstated,” said Northumberland County Warden Brian Ostrander.
“With thousands of our residents currently without a family doctor, and the potential for that number to grow, this clinic is not just a convenience – it’s a lifeline. Health care is a fundamental right, and Northumberland County council is proud to support the establishment of this clinic and its successful integration within the local health system for greater care for all.”
Ostrander earlier told kawarthaNOW connecting residents with primary health care providers is a priority countywide.
“With a high number of unattached patients in Northumberland, it is essential that we leverage expertise and resources across partnerships to meet local needs,” Ostrander said. “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.”
The Ontario Medical Association estimates there are 2.5 million people in the province who are without a family doctor. The organization expects that number to double in the next two years.
Locally, it’s estimated that more than 8,000 Northumberland residents — including 4,000 in west Northumberland alone — do not have a primary care provider and this number could rise to more than 20,000 by 2026, the release noted.
County council approved the pilot earlier this year following a motion by Olena Hankivsky, Northumberland County’s deputy warden, who is also the mayor of Port Hope. The initiative was originally conceived by Hankivsky, who has led physician recruitment efforts for the clinic’s operation, alongside Port Hope councillor Les Andrews, who has spearheaded fundraising efforts.
“Reaching this milestone is a testament to what can be achieved when a community rallies together around a shared purpose,” Hankivsky said. “The urgent need was clear, and the response has been inspiring. We sincerely appreciate the support of our health care partner, CHCN.”
“We also express our sincere gratitude to the many local donors contributing to this undertaking, and to the medical community for their support. Together, we are expanding access to essential primary health care services for Northumberland residents.”
The clinic will open with “a soft launch” on August 17 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. It will initially operate on a limited schedule and capacity, ramping up over several weeks as clinic staff and physicians become familiarized with a newly implemented electronic medical records system, and additional physicians are onboarded, the county said.
Prior to visiting the clinic, the county encourages residents to check the website at Northumberland.ca/PortHopeClinic for the upcoming schedule or call 905-885-0062, as hours may very each week during the initial start-up phase.
By the fall, the goal is to offer services Wednesdays and Fridays from 3 to 7 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The county encourages residents who have a family doctor to book an appointment with their physician’s office to address their health concerns and maintain continuity of care.
Nursing support, administrative assistance, office costs, and other clinic operational expenses are being fully funded through contributions from the Port Hope and District Health Care Foundation, along with donors including the Port Hope Rotary Club, the Town of Cobourg, and Loyalist College. Physicians will be compensated through standard OHIP billing services as outlined in the Ministry of Health’s physician services agreement, the release noted.
Northumberland County will provide office set-up, IT infrastructure, logistics, communications, and administration support. The CHNC will contribute its experience and expertise in primary care service delivery, assisting with clinic nursing services, patient information technology and implementation support during the pilot.
“We are proud to support this vital local initiative to ensure our community members have access to the health care they need,” said Taryn Rennicks, CHCN’s executive director. “Leveraging expertise and resources across partnerships is crucial to meeting local needs.”
A public grand opening is being planned for later this fall to officially recognize donors and welcome community members to the clinic.
