INNISFIL — It’s been over a month since the ribbon was cut at the Georgian Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic in the Rizzardo Health and Wellness Centre.
However, the clinic, located about 10 minutes south of Barrie at 7325 Yonge St., has been treating patients since the beginning of October.
“The response to date has been overwhelmingly positive,” said the clinic's executive director, Kevin MacLeod. “The community has welcomed us with open arms.”
As previously reported, the clinic offers primary care, registered dietitian services, mental-health support, physiotherapy and occupational therapy.
MacLeod explained that “there continues to be a need for greater access to care in Innisfil.”
“We are one of 27 (nurse practitioner-)led clinics providing team-based comprehensive primary care in Ontario and are glad to be playing our part in connecting more residents to team-based healthcare,” he said.
Previously called an “innovative model of care” by Ontario Health Minister Sylvia Jones and "a very welcome addition to the town" by Innisfil Mayor Lynn Dollin, MacLeod said progress continues to be made.
“We are seeing more patients each week and are moving closer to our goal of connecting 3,200 residents to a primary care (nurse practitioner)," he said.
At the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Barrie-Innisfil MPP Andrea Khanjin praised the facility.
"We're very fortunate to have this place. We're really putting the 'care' back in health care," she said.
Those words ring true for MacLeod.
“Our services will continue to evolve to meet the needs of our patients," he said. "We launched on-site mental health services in late 2024 and on-site registered dietitian services will begin in the new year.
“Both of those services continue to be offered virtually as those clinicians work across both of our sites,” MacLeod added.
The Georgian Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic also operates a similar facility in the north end of Barrie.
“We have some renovations planned in early 2025 that will create an additional exam room, expanding our nursing capacity and will help expedite our intake processes,” MacLeod said.
Registration must be completed online through Health Care Connect, which will prioritize residents “without a primary care provider and equity-deserving populations” over the coming months.
Those who are in need of a primary care provider are encouraged to register as soon as possible due to high demand.
