The population in Grand Bend and area is growing and will continue to do so. The tourists and visitors keep coming to enjoy our beautiful surroundings. We want to be able to provide care for our long time residents as well as for newcomers. A very commonly asked question regarding Grand Bend Area CHC is “How do I obtain a Doctor there?” Often the question is asked with great concern and sometimes with a feeling of desperation. We understand the worry about this, especially for a patient who has no family doctor elsewhere.
In order for patients to be offered a family doctor, there has to be availability of physicians to take responsibility for those patients. Sabbaticals, holidays and relocation of physicians all decrease that availability. Add to this the seasonal increase in tourists and the issue becomes more acute. The CHC has made application to hire an additional physician. This would ensure that every person in our catchment area has a family doctor. It would also take the pressure off of local emergency rooms.
Patients requesting a family doctor at GBACHC are asked to fill an application or to update one that they have already made. Applicants must live in our catchment area; Grand Bend (N0M 1T0) or Hensall (N0M 1X0), Crediton (N0M 1M0), Dashwood (N0M 1N0), Kippen (N0M 2E0) and Port Franks (N0M 2L0). New patients wishing to have a family doctor at GBACHC are NOT accepted on a “first come, first serve basis”. Some individuals have needs that require more immediate attention than those who may already be waiting but with less pressing problems. To this end, our physicians have developed a triage system that identifies individuals in greatest need of care.
Those people are accepted at our CHC without delay. In the meantime, patients with accessible family physicians elsewhere should continue to see them. Visitors and residents of the catchment area in need of medical attention Monday to Friday should call the CHC medical reception (519-238-2362) for advice on how we can help.
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY, CALL 9-1-1.
The Medical Clinic is available on a walk-in basis each Saturday morning from 9 am – 11:30 am. All of the above applies only to primary medical care. Additionally, allied health services include the following: diabetes, nutritional and healthy lifestyle counselling. Augmenting these services are health promotion programs, medical social work and mental health assistance . These augmentative services are available to those residing in our area. Physiotherapy services are available to registered patients with the wait time averaging three months and without waiting for post fracture or post joint replacement/WSIB patients.