The centre is set to offer on-site laboratory services, pharmacy, access to social work, peer navigation, physiotherapy, parenting supports and specialist support for mental health and addictions according to Jonathan Bennett, Peterborough CHC’s board chair.
“A community health centre essentially asks that family physicians become employees,” he explained. “They're salary so it tends to attract different kinds of a physician to work and surround that position to help more complex issues (usually marginalized folk) that take longer to receive the care that they need.”
The proposal was first made to the Ministry of Health by the Peterborough Ontario Health Team on Aug. 5.
“Peterborough has the fourth highest level of marginalization among 42 Ontario Health Team regions yet we don’t have the health care model that is designed and resourced to serve more complex patients,” said Dr. Dawn Lavell-Harvard, CHC vice chair.
Peterborough-Kawartha MPP Dave Smith joined the announcement showing his support for the centre.
“More than 60 per cent of new medical graduates want a salaried position with flexibility to explore many challenges in healthcare,” he said. “The community health centre would provide that attractive option to entice new physicians to our area in a way we have not had in the past. It will integrate into our existing healthcare options to help reduce hallway healthcare, reduce demand on the emergency room and provide the right care where it is needed most.”
He also added that the closest CHCs are in Lindsay and Cobourg which are too far away from anyone living in Peterborough especially if they need care and have no vehicle.
“It’s 49 kilometres from the edge of Lindsay to the edge of Peterborough. How many individuals, who don’t have access to a car, are going to walk to Lindsay? How many individuals are going to walk to Cobourg?” said Smith. “The answer is historically none.”
Bennett and Lavell-Harvard make up two CHC board of director members (chair and vice chair respectively) with Sarah Budd (treasurer) and James Shipley (director) who are spearheading the proposal.
A location has yet to be determined for the new proposed centre.
