Wilberforce clinic gets a temporary doctor

January 13, 2016

Residents in Highlands East are one step closer to getting improved medical care in their backyard.

The municipality has announced the Wilberforce Clinic on Loop Road will have a physician for two days a month, until a permanent doctor sets up practice.

The set-up is the result of a partnership created between the municipality and the Bancroft Family Health Team, said Sandra Mcgrath, executive director of the FHT.

For the month of January, Dr. Brown of the Bancroft Health Team will be available at the clinic on Jan. 14 and Jan. 21, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. both days. A walk-in-clinic will be operating from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Mcgrath said the FHT will be providing a doctor every month until Dr. Fitzgerald, who has signed an agreement with Highlands East, settles into the area.

“We’re just trying to get medical care up in that area,” said Mcgrath.

The doctor will be available to anyone who has a valid health card. Patients do not need to be registered with the Bancroft Family Health Team.

Booked appointments are recommended and can be arranged by calling 613-332-1565 ext. 220 or ext. 233.

Mcgrath said neither the dates nor the doctor visiting the clinic have been set in stone, as it depends on which physicians are available and what their schedule permits.

“We’ll be posting them on the website every month,” she said. “It’s just a trial [at this point].” The executive director was also thrilled to announce there is a new doctor at the Bancroft Family Health Team who is accepting new patients.

“If people want to apply for Dr. Lawson they can go on our website and it explains on the website how to do the application for her,” said Mcgrath.

The executive director is excited about extending services to Wilberforce and what it will mean for the area.

“We’re hoping there’s a lot of patient pick-up with it and that patients will start utilizing it and won’t have to travel, especially in the winter months when it’s difficult for elderly patients and patients who have physical barriers,” said Mcgrath.

Patients are reminded to bring their health card to the clinic for a booked appointment or the walk-in clinic.

For more information visit www.highlandseast.ca or www.bancroftfht.com.
– Angelica Ingram