The Kawartha North Family Health Team (KNFHT) is receiving funding from the government of Ontario to establish an urgent care clinic in the community at the site of the former Minden Emergency Department. The Ministry of Health will provide one-time investments for the purchase of equipment for the clinic in addition to ongoing operating funding. Haliburton Highlands Health Services is supporting the community’s urgent care clinic by working with KNFHT.
Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, stated, “We recognize the need for all Ontarians to have access to convenient care closer to home, regardless of where they live in the province.” With the investment to assist the Minden Urgent Care Clinic in opening its doors, Ontario is proud to collaborate with community partners to improve care for Minden residents.
Beginning on Friday, June 30th, the Minden urgent care clinic will open on weekends, with plans to open up to seven days per week depending on the needs of the community. KNFHT Nurse Practitioners and Registered Practical Nurses will run the clinic and provide care to patients with unanticipated but non-life-threatening health issues through walk-ins and scheduled appointments.
According to Laurie Scott, MPP for Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock, “the quick action taken by the Kawartha North Family Health Team and supported by Haliburton Highlands Health Services, with support from the Ministry of Health is good news, ensuring Minden will have access to an urgent care clinic very soon.” I appreciate everyone’s cooperation in making this possible.
The Ministry and Ontario Health are working quickly with the KNFHT and HHHS to accelerate implementation. In order to determine how the clinic can best serve Minden Hills residents, KNFHT is retaining its community engagement efforts. Consequently, although the clinic itself will be entirely managed by KNFHT and its board of directors, it will be situated on the site of the former emergency department in Minden, necessitating no significant renovations.
Marina Hodson, Executive Director of KNFHT, stated, “KNFHT has provided care to the Minden Hills community since 2007.” By operating an urgent care clinic at the Minden location, we are continuing our commitment to service and are extremely proud to be meeting a community need.
Veronica Nelson, Interim CEO of HHHS, stated, “Haliburton Highlands Health Services is pleased to support the KNFHT’s operation of an urgent care clinic at the Minden Site.” The establishment of an urgent care clinic in our community has been accelerated as a result of this initiative.
