Minto Rural Health Centre provides central location for delivery of care

Five years in the planning and just over a year from ground-breaking the Minto Rural Health Centre (MRHC) became a reality on May 4.

Dignitaries and community members gathered to celebrate the opening of the new 11,750-square foot medical arts building which houses a variety of community partners in the delivery of health services to area residents.

Tenants include the Palmerston and District Hospital Foundation, Minto-Mapleton Family Health Team, Canadian Mental Health Association, St. Elizabeth’s Wound Clinic and Community Care Access Centre.

Palmerston family physician Dr. Christopher Cressey is the first doctor to open an office in the facility, which can accommodate up to three more physicians as well as additional community services.

At the opening, Cressey said the centre is integral to providing up-to-date medical care and attracting medical professionals to the community.

“I couldn’t do it in my 1,000-square-foot converted Anglican manse downtown. There was no room to grow,” he said.

North Wellington Health Care (NWHC) board chair Tom Sullivan stated, “The Minto Rural Health Centre provides the venue for integrated and collaborative primary health care to flourish. No longer will patients have to travel far to receive the care they need.

“In one convenient location patients can access their family doctor and allied health support services.

“We also now have the space to accommodate new family physicians to our community – a key to the long-term health care strategy for the Minto area.”

The MRHC is located beside Palmerston and District Hospital (PDH), allowing easy access for patients to flow to and from the hospital.

The reception area for the building is a large, bright atrium and the building also includes facilities for telemedicine and an activity room stocked with treadmills, stationary bicycles and other equipment.

Financing for the $3-million facility came from three sources: the PDH Foundation, NWHC, and a debenture which NWHC arranged through the Town of Minto.

“The Town of Minto is a strong believer that having quality care in our community is a key element of economic development and essential to the growth of our community,” said Minto Mayor George Bridge, who is also warden of  Wellington County.

“We are proud to have been involved in this project and congratulate everyone on this beautiful new building.”

While many communities are facing closure of schools and other facilities due to declining populations, Bridge said, “our population is going up because of projects like this.

“Without the hospital and facilities like the one we have behind us, our quality of life would suffer and we wouldn’t be able to attract those people.”

PDH Foundation chair Dan Hill said the foundation was pleased to partner with NWHC on the project.

“This building, and the health care services made available here within a community setting, will assist us in our mandate of keeping quality care close to home,” said Hill.

Minto-Mapleton Family Health Team executive director Shirley Borges said the team is “very excited” to be able to expand many FHT-based programs and services to the community.

“Minto residents have been looking forward to the day that they can access our programs on a regular basis in Palmerston,” she stated. “The centre will also provide a wonderful venue for fostering community partnerships and joint initiatives, and our residents always benefit when health providers work together.”

Waterloo-Wellington Local Health Integration Network board chair Joan Fisk said the MRHC is a “great example” of how integrated health models “can support better health outcomes” for rural residents.

“Residents will benefit from a number of health services all located centrally, and working in partnership to support the continuum of care,” said Fisk.

“This is the type of collaboration that will build a strong foundation for improved health and wellness for years to come.”

Perth-Wellington MPP Randy Pettapiece called the new centre a model for providing health care in rural and small-town Ontario.

“Health care is so important to rural communities and I know this facility will help deliver the very best,” the MPP stated.

Longtime local hospital board member and former chair David Craig, who chaired the MRHC building committee, said he was thrilled to see the project completed.

“It’s not a brand new idea, but it’s one that transplants extremely well to our community,” he stated.

“On behalf of the Minto Rural Health Centre Committee, I would like to thank everyone who helped to envision, design and build the new medical arts building.

“It was an outstanding community-led effort that will support the health and well-being of our community for years to come.”

 

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