By Cecilia Nasmith/Today’s Northumberland
With a full year of operation since the pilot project was launched, the Port Hope Walk-in Clinic has plans to expand services to seven days a week from four as of 2026.
Reporting the plans, Director of Health and Human Services Glenn Dees said credit is largely due to a successful fundraising initiative in partnership with the Port Hope and District Health Care Foundation – taking its offer of matching funds up to $70,000 into account, it raised $190,000 – and to plans for a shift to staffing by nurse-practitioners.
The clinic currently is open four days a week (3 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends), with staffing provided by doctors who are available and who bill OHIP for their services.
Thanks to the fundraiser and to the generosity of the clinic’s initial partners, a $240,000 surplus will be carried over into 2026. From its current 20 hours a week, the clinic would be open 32 hours a week (3 to 7 p.m. weekdays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends) next year.
One challenge is that nurse-practitioners cannot bill OHIP for their work, but there is some hope of obtaining services from some physicians as may be available.
Dees also anticipates legislation in the new year that may allow nurse-practitioners to bill OHIP for certain services.
Committee chair Olena Hankivsky, who had been actively involved in the fundraising, reminded Dees that some of the money raised was supposed to be earmarked for strengthening mental-health supports.
This will be pursued in partnership with the Community Health Centres of Northumberland, he assured her.
Though Dees said the recruitment market for nurse-practitioners is very competitive, Councillor Mandy Martin was optimistic.
“I personally have been approached by at least five nurse-practitioners throughout this county who are very keen to be recognized and to be utilized,” Martin said.
“Furthermore, they live here and they want to continue to live in Northumberland County.”
Martin joined Hankivsky in her call for advocacy on their behalf in permitting them to bill OHIP for their services.
This call was put into the motion passed by the committee, along with their endorsement of a seven-day week for the clinic and the addition of mental-health supports.
The motion will be presented at the regular meeting of county council on Sept. 17
