Some patients with the Erie St. Clair Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) are now able to get care closer to home with the opening of a nursing clinic in Wallaceburg.
LHIN officials say the nursing clinic is located in the ambulatory care area on the first floor of the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance’s (CKHA) Wallaceburg site, and provides services including IV treatments and wound care. It is important to note this is not a walk-in clinic and is specifically for local LHIN home and community care patients with scheduled appointments, LHIN officials say.
“The Erie St. Clair LHIN is always looking at ways to enhance care for patients across our region,” stated Ralph Ganter, CEO, Erie St. Clair LHIN, in a media release.
“We now have the opportunity to provide care closer to home for some of our existing, and future, home and community care patients in the Wallaceburg area. Working together with the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance and VON, we are promoting stronger relationships throughout the health system while making home and community care services more accessible in a setting that patients are comfortable and familiar with.”
LHIN officials say VON is providing and managing operations of the clinic, and is a LHIN contracted service provider with a strong, long-standing reputation for delivering exceptional nursing care at home and in the community.
VON also services similar clinics across the province.
“Operating the clinic is a natural extension of in-home nursing visit practice, with a strong focus on ensuring that patients are able to access services close to home,” stated Andrew Ward, regional executive director, VON South-West Region, in a press release.
“We value the opportunity to work with the Erie St. Clair LHIN and CKHA to deliver services in this new location.”
In 2016-17, the LHIN served 39,474 home and community care patients.
Of that, 5,484 patients were seen in LHIN-operated clinics in either Chatham, Windsor, or Sarnia, LHIN officials say.
“CKHA is very excited to partner with the Erie St. Clair LHIN at our Wallaceburg site,” stated Lori Marshall, president & CEO, Chatham-Kent Health Alliance, in a media release.
“The collaboration between Chatham-Kent Health Alliance and Erie St. Clair LHIN provides tremendous benefit to our patients and their families who otherwise need to travel for these services. CKHA’s mission is to serve the health care needs of our community and the Wallaceburg site has the space and opportunity to partner with other health service providers to streamline services for patients. This comprehensive vision for the Wallaceburg site makes sense now and in the future.”
The Wallaceburg clinic serves LHIN patients in North Kent and South Lambton, meaning some patients who have been travelling to the Chatham clinic for treatment will be able to get care closer to home in Wallaceburg, LHIN officials say.
CKHA will continue to co-use the clinic area for its own ambulatory patients.
