The increase in physician support in Souris has enabled The Eastern Kings Health Centre walk-in clinic to re-open next week, Health Minister Doug Currie says.
“This was a top priority for our government, and we’ve had great success thanks to the hard work of Recruitment and Retention and Health PEI staff,” Currie said.
The clinic will operate in July as two physicians – Dr. Paul Berrow and Dr. Ron Henbest – along with several locum physicians, will be treating walk-in patients.
A third full-time physician has received a letter of offer for employment in Souris, and it is anticipated he will join the team by September.
Dr. Ron Murphy, Dr. Angela MacLaren and Dr. Cameron Bruce will be providing locum support at various time periods throughout the summer months. Two additional locum physicians have agreed to provide support in the fall.
“I had a very positive meeting yesterday with the North East Community Alliance – a very engaged citizen group concerned about rural health care. I plan to meet with them again as part of a broader conversation about health care with Islanders,” Currie said.
“We are committed to continuing to provide health services to rural Prince Edward Island.”
Clinic hours are 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays (no walk-in clinics on holidays), but please call first to confirm at 687-7033. It will be open the following days: July 4-5, 12-16, 19-22 and 24-29.
In non-urgent situations, Islanders are encouraged to visit their family physician’s office or a walk-in clinic. However, anyone with urgent medical needs should call 9-1-1 or seek immediate medical care at the nearest hospital emergency department, such as the Kings County Memorial Hospital or the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, when:
• experiencing discomfort or tightness in the chest;
• experiencing unusual shortness of breath;
• experiencing abdominal pain;
• experiencing prolonged and persistent headache or dizziness;
• an injury may require stitches or involve a broken bone;
• a child has prolonged diarrhea or vomiting; or
• a baby under six months of age has a fever of 38°C (100.4° F) or higher.
For a complete listing of walk-in clinic hours and locations, visit www.healthpei.ca/walkinclinics.