Guelph General opens new neurological clinic to better serve patients
GUELPH – Guelph General Hospital has opened a new clinic to provide care closer to home for patients with neurological conditions and reduce the number of inpatients that are transferred to hospitals outside the region.
The clinic is supported by neurologist Dr. Erin Balcom, who is eager to meet members of the Guelph-Wellington community and have a positive impact on neurological care in the region.
“I studied biology during my undergraduate degree and knew I wanted to apply that knowledge to help improve the lives of others.
“Neurology is a very detail-oriented field that is based very much on the stories patients, families, and caregivers provide us. That personal connection improves patient care and makes the work even more enjoyable,” she said.
Dr. Balcom graduated from medical school at the University of Toronto then completed an adult neurology residency at the University of Alberta, followed by a clinical fellowship in multiple sclerosis and inflammatory disorders at St. Michael’s Hospital.
The new Neurology Clinic provides assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of adult neurological disorders such as epilepsy and multiple sclerosis.
Approximately 45 patient visits (for those aged 18 years and older) will take place in the clinic through referral from members of the Guelph General Hospital team.
“We see hundreds of patients each year in need of timely access to neurological care. These patients have been referred to hospitals outside of our region and often wait up to two years for the help they need. This is a challenge we knew we needed to address so we are thrilled to welcome Dr. Balcom who will help us to do just that,” shared Dr. Alex Ferguson, chief of staff at Guelph General Hospital.
To support the development of the clinic, the Foundation of Guelph General Hospital funded the purchase of two electroencephalograms (EEG) through generous community donations.
An EEG is a non-invasive test used to diagnose neurological conditions.
The clinic will be phased in over time initially supporting hospital discharge and patient flow followed by careful planning, alongside other care partners, for opening access to the greater Guelph-Wellington community.
