County announces opening of Port Hope Medical Walk-in Clinic, expanding access to primary care
Northumberland County is pleased to announce the opening of the Port Hope Medical Walk-in Clinic, beginning Saturday, August 17th.
This one-year pilot program, delivered as a partnership between the County and the Community Health Centres of Northumberland (CHCN), will evaluate the feasibility of providing these medical walk-in services on a permanent basis. Located at 99 Toronto Road on the 2nd 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.
“The need for these services cannot be overstated. 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,” states Northumberland County Warden Brian Ostrander. “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.”
The Ontario Medical Association estimates that 2.5 million people in the province are without a family doctor, with the expectation that this number will double in the next two years. Locally, it is estimated that over 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 Port Hope Medical Walk-in Clinic will improve access to health care services for these unattached patients.
This pilot project was approved earlier this year by County Council following a motion by County Deputy Warden and Mayor of Port Hope Olena Hankivsky. The initiative was originally conceived by Deputy Warden Hankivsky, who has led physician recruitment efforts for the clinic’s activation 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. The urgent need was clear, and the response has been inspiring,” states Deputy Warden Hankivsky. “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 Saturday, August 17, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 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.
Prior to visiting the clinic, residents are encouraged 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 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Residents with a family doctor are encouraged to book an appointment with their physician’s office to address health concerns, to maintain continuity of care.
Nursing support, administrative assistance, office costs, and other clinic operational expenses are being fully funded through generous contributions from primary donor 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.
Northumberland County will provide office setup, IT infrastructure, logistics, communications, and administration support. And the CHNC will contribute its significant 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,” states CHCN Executive Director Taryn Rennicks. “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. More information will be shared as details become available.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
