A new clinic focused on preventative care has opened its doors in Sarnia.
The Rapids Family Health Team space aims to improve community health with services like cancer screening, diabetes management, foot care, and smoking cessation, according to Lynn Laidler, the executive director of the local healthcare provider.
“It’s going to open up more doors for people,” she shared about the new 3,000-square-foot (280-square-metre) facility located just a couple of doors away from the main office on Pontiac Drive that has been serving the community for 20 years.
The clinic was set to launch on Monday, slightly behind schedule from its initial mid-October opening due to extra time needed for construction and equipment setup, Laidler explained.
Preventative care, health education, and chronic disease management have always been part of what this 37-physician team offers. This includes nurse educators, registered dietitians, occupational therapists, and various other health professionals, she added.
Having a dedicated space not only creates more room for clinical activities elsewhere but also provides patients with a comfortable and private environment for receiving preventative care.
“It’s clinical, but it’s not,” she noted about the new office. She described it as “more of a relaxed space” suitable for cancer screenings and women’s health services such as Papanicolaou (pap) tests and menopause support along with congestive heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder assistance.
Seven registered nurse educators will be working at the clinic alongside one manager. Classes will also be offered there with plans to expand proactive health programming in the community.
“Because now we’ll have the availability and the space to do that,” Laidler said.
“That’s another big key. We’re looking at what is it that we’re missing in Sarnia that we need to have.”
This new clinic serves as an additional access point within the healthcare system for locals.
“For instance with diabetes, we can provide a team that looks after you more closely,” she explained. In cases where blood sugar levels rise, patients can still see their doctor but now have somewhere to reach out if they have questions in between visits.
“Which is going to help the person regulate as well as keep them out of emerge.”
Most wait times at this clinic are expected to be around one or two weeks.
The clinic received part of $175,000 in provincial funding aimed at supporting local preventive care initiatives according to Nadine Neve, executive lead with the Sarnia-Lambton Ontario Health Team.
This comprehensive program is delivered through Rapids along with North Lambton Community Health Centre and Twin Bridges Nurse Practitioner-led Clinic.
Neve mentioned that this funding is intended for operational costs.
Laidler noted that many programs won’t require referrals from doctors. More information can be found at rapidsfhteam. ca.
“We’re excited and I think this is a great opportunity for the community,” she expressed.
Tyler Kula joined The Observer in 2008 and covers Sarnia city hall. A southwestern Ontario native who graduated from Western University, he has also reported on health and education topics.
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