The Port Hope Medical Walk-in Clinic held its grand opening on Thursday, October 24, 2024.
A soft launch was held in August 2024, but on Thursday it was a chance to thank the people who made it possible.
The Port Hope Medical Walk-in Clinic provides primary care is located at 99 Toronto Road and opened sharply at 11 a.m.
The clinic is a partnership between the County and the Community Health Centres of Northumberland (CHCN) and since being opened for only a few months has improved access to health care services for residents who do not currently have a family doctor or nurse practitioner.
Northumberland County Director of Health and Human Services, Glenn Dees said, with thousand of area residents currently without a family doctor, the potential for that number to grow to the tens-of-thousands, this clinic is not just a convenience, it’s a essential resource for the communities health and well-being.”
Port Hope Mayor Olena Hankivsky and councillor Les Andrews recognized the need for a walk-in clinic and started approaching partners.
Hankivsky said the “vision” for the walk-in clinic started in 2022, “driven by a shared commitment to ensure that every resident of Port Hope and our broader County has access to the health care that they need and have a right too.”
Across Northumberland County Hankivsky said there are 9,000 un-rostered patients.
In the next two years Northumberland County will need upwards of 30 new doctors to replace existing doctors who have moved or retired.
“So for the time being, this is a place where people can go to get the care they need and not have to ignore their health, or decide they don’t want to go to the hospital because it’s to long of wait, or overburden our hospital.”
“This project really does reflect the best of our community – collaboration, generosity and the belief that access to health care is a fundamental right.”
Executive Director of the Community Health Centres of Northumberland Taryn Rennicks said the clinic is “hugely important.”
The building now houses, the Community Health Care Centres of Northumberland, Community Care Pharmacy, the Ganaraska Family Health Organization and the Port Hope Walk-In Clinic.
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.
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.
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 has provided office setup, IT infrastructure, logistics, communications, and administration support.
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
