Medical clinic for people without doctors coming to Picton and Wellington

Guests toured the PEFHT waiting room and offices at Bridge St., Picton in this file photograph.

Patients who have no doctor will soon be able to receive assistance at a new community clinic to open Feb. 27 for two days a week – one each at the Harbourview Clinic in Picton and the Sandbanks Medical Centre in Wellington.

Barinder Gill, Executive Director of the Prince Edward Family Health Team

Barinder Gill, Executive Director of the Prince Edward Family Health Team, (PEFHT), told council Tuesday night about the launch of the clinic.

He said primary care would be provided by a nurse practitioner with support of a physician in this phase one of plans to help residents who do not have a doctor.

Phase two, he noted, requires additional funding that would see the clinic expand to five days per week.

The PEFHT proposal went to Ontario Health in spring 2023, but Gill told council “We can’t always wait for funding… Too many residents rely on our hospital emergency department as their source of primary care because they have no where else to go.”

“Based on resourcing we currently have, the clinic will be able to serve approximately 24 unattached patients per week.”

In Prince Edward County, as of October 2023, 2000 residents were registered on Health Care Connect, a provincial waiting list for a family physician, but the unattached situation locally is more dire than this.

Dr. Sarah Le Blanc, Family Physician and PEFHT Board President, said the team is excited to be in a position to launch this community clinic to care for people without a primary care provider.

“The unattachment situation in the County continues to worsen and we recognize that our local health care system needs to respond. For us, these efforts are intended to ensure that our friends, loved ones and neighbours have the best possible health throughout life.”

The clinic will be available 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Tuesdays in Picton at 35 Bridge St. Suite 1 and 2 and Thursdays in Wellington at the Sandbanks Medical Centre located at 12 Prince Edward St. Phone lines will open on Mondays from 1p.m. to 4p.m. and then on Tuesdays from 8:30a.m. to 4p.m. Residents will be able to call 613-827-8775 to book an appointment or book online by visiting www.pefht.ca

Services would include (but not limited to) sore ears or throat, cough, bladder infections, sprains, strains, minor burns, eye redness and irritation, skin infections, rashes, wound checks, minor sutures, asthma, STD screening, prenatal care and referrals, mental health, prescription renewals, drivers’ physicals, clearances for activities and return to work letters.

The clinic will not provide services that require emergency intervention such as difficulty breathing when doing little, or resting; severe stomach pain, chest pain or tightness, continuous vomiting or severe diarrhea, broken bones or wounds that require stitches, seizures or convulsions, stiff neck or sensitivity to light, confusion or disorientation.

Over the next few weeks, the PEFHT plans to introduce online and telephone booking for appointments.

PEFHT is inviting residents to a series of community information sessions and open houses to learn more
about this clinic and other PEFHT programs and services. Light refreshments to be provided.
-Tuesday, Feb. 20 from 4:30-6 p.m. at 35 Bridge St., Picton, Suite 1 and 2.
-Wednesday, Feb. 21 from 4:30-6 p.m. at 12 Prince Edward Dr. Wellington
-Friday, Feb. 23 from 5-6 p.m. virtual option via ‘Zoom’
Join the meeting by clicking:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87530093558
Meeting ID: 875 3009 3558