Northumberland County opened the Port Hope Medical Walk-in Clinic on Saturday, August 17th, 2024.
Located at 99 Toronto Road, the clinic is a result of a partnership between Northumberland County and the Community Health Centres of Northumberland (CHCN) and will serve as a one-year pilot project to assess the feasibility of permanent walk-in services.
The clinic’s launch comes at a crucial time as the Ontario Medical Association estimates that 2.5 million people in the province are without a family doctor, with this number expected to double in the next two years. Locally, over 8,000 Northumberland residents, including 4,000 in West Northumberland, are currently without a primary care provider.
“This clinic is not just a convenience-it’s a lifeline,” says Northumberland County Warden Brian Ostrander. “The need for these services cannot be overstated.”
The clinic will initially operate on a limited schedule, gradually expanding its hours as staff and physicians adapt to a newly implemented Electronic Medical Records system. By fall, services are expected to be available on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Nursing support, administrative assistance, and other operational expenses are fully funded by generous local donors, including the Port Hope and District Health Care Foundation and the Port Hope Rotary Club.
A public grand opening is planned for later this fall to officially welcome the community.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)
