At an open house event today, Health Minister Chester Gillan officially marked the opening of the Central Queens Family Health Centre at its new location in Hunter River.
The Central Queens Family Health Centre was established in 2002 on the retirement of Dr. Kent G. Ellis. For the past four years, family medical services have been provided at the Ellis’ medical offices by a team of family physicians, registered nurses and medical secretaries.
In late January of this year, the team began to operate out of the new facility, which provides an additional two examination rooms, as well as a health education office and a community classroom.
Minister Gillan noted, “The addition of two exam rooms allows for the placement of medical and nursing students to work in Hunter River. Having students at the Centre is a great way for the centre to be current with medical developments and to recruit newly graduated physicians to the area.”
The additional exam rooms allow for increased patient visits to a nurse for a variety of services such as medication injections, taking blood for lab tests, foot care and health teaching.
The new classroom, named in honour of the late Dr. Ellis, can be used for group education sessions such as the diabetes support group, public health nursing immunization clinics, and for a variety of health promotion activities such as information sessions on chronic illnesses. The classroom is also open to community health groups for meetings.
The health education office is used once a week for dietary counselling and mental health counselling.
Central Queens communities have invested in their new Centre through fundraising for equipment and furnishings.
Rosemary White, the Centre’s coordinator, acknowledges’ the generosity of the community. “We are very grateful to the businesses, individuals and community groups for their generous contributions to this special facility. A big thank you also goes to the Central Queens Community Advisory group and Leone Bagnall who is the fund raising committee chairperson.”
Health Centre staff and patients are pleased with the new Centre. Staff have been hearing a lot of positive comments from patients who appreciate the bright and spacious surroundings.
Dr. Carl Friedrich, family physician at the Centre said, “The centre is beautifully and efficiently designed. It is a real pleasure to arrive to work here each morning.”
The Central Queens Family Health Centre provides primary health care to the residents of Central Queens communities. There is a walk in clinic held most Friday mornings starting at 9:30, with doors opening at 8 a.m.