A new walk-in just for kids
With the arrival of Pediatrician Dr Orazu to Morden's Menzies Medical Centre, walk-in times have been impacted by this added physician, according to Executive Director Nicole Walske.
"With part of that has come the opportunity for our walk-in clinic to be streamed into both an adult section and a children's section. The pediatrician will see walk-in children aged 0 to 18 when they are available here in the clinic. So right now, it's Monday to Friday, but that will shift a little bit depending on the hospital's needs."
Walk-in times are directly impacted by this and more
This is one way the wait times have been directly and positively impacted, but there are other contributing factors.
"It allows the children to be routed into the pediatric appointments, and it allows that many more appointments to be available for our adult population. We've also added additional providers, so we have walk-in capacity that has increased, which has been a huge add as well."
More people are getting a family physician
Walske said staff at the clinic are excited to call people to let them know they have a family doctor.
"Some people have been waiting five years for that phone call. Our staff are really enjoying the opportunity to make those phone calls, to be able to offer those appointments and having people come in and do their first visit with their new provider and meet them, and get to know them, and start on that path of, 'Where did we leave off 3 years ago, five years ago?' It's going to be life-changing for some people, and we hope that by assigning them to a family doctor, our need for walk-in will decrease."
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She added that these new physicians also offer relief for existing physicians who have been trying to maintain services and a new flexibility in scheduling for the emergency room at Boundary Trails Health Centre.
"It does feel good to see some positive energy in our community, and these new individuals who have joined our Community are feeling very welcomed. We've had some businesses reach out and offer them services or just show their gratitude, and it's really heartwarming to see those things and for them to feel like they're welcome in our community. They're recognized, of course, by their photos and the public announcements that we've had. It's just really a great feeling to finally feel like I can say something positive." Menzies Medical Centre Executive Director Nicole Walske
More good news
Up until recently, appointments could only be booked online, starting at 8 am and in-person appointments at 8:30. Now phone appointments will be taken at 8:30 as well, with Walkse recognizing it isn't always feasible for people to make multiple trips to the clinic, and is pleased that with more new doctors, this option is now available.
Walske encourages the public to continue to take care of themselves as best they can, offering support through the walk-in clinic, but if more help is needed to go to the emergency room as needed.
You can help!
Ongoing fundraising for recruitment incentives aims to build momentum on this reprieve to welcome more physicians to Morden with open arms, hopefully in the coming months.
Donations are gratefully accepted on the Menzies Medical Centre website.