Community Walk-In Clinic to Open October 3rd in Penticton, BC
Penticton, BC – In a remarkable display of community collaboration, local family physicians, nurse practitioners, Community Futures Okanagan Similkameen, Community Foundation of the South Okanagan Similkameen, and the South Okanagan Similkameen Division of Family Practice are thrilled to announce the upcoming opening of a temporary Community Walk-In Clinic in Apple Plaza Penticton, commencing the afternoon of October 3rd, 2023.
This collective effort not only demonstrates the dedication of local primary care providers but also underscores the unwavering commitment to ensure accessible primary care services for all residents in the South Okanagan Similkameen region.
Clinic Lead, Dr. Tom Oliver, shared, “By working together, we found a way to keep the Walk-In Clinic in Apple Plaza open for at least six more months. Ideally every patient in our region would have access to a family physician or nurse practitioner, but until we can achieve that goal, we are doing what we can to provide service for unattached patients.”
Key Details of the Community Walk-In Clinic:
Location: Apple Plaza Penticton [162 – 1848 Main Street]
Opening Date: October 3rd, 2023
Operating Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM (some exceptions due to lack of staffing)
The clinic will offer a comprehensive range of primary healthcare services, including general medical consultations, minor procedures, and referrals to specialists when necessary.
The Apple Plaza Walk-In Clinic had previously announced its closure for September 30th, 2023, due to a shortage of physician staffing. However, the new collaborative model offers a fresh approach to the clinic’s operation. Dr. Heidi Ingram explained, “In the old model, doctors own the clinic, hire and manage the staff, look after the building, all while trying to provide medical care to patients. My partners and I just couldn’t attract anyone to work in that type of clinic anymore, which is why we needed to close. But in this model, we are supported by community organizations. We aren’t doing it alone.”
While the healthcare landscape may evolve in the future, the Community Walk-In Clinic is firmly committed to providing patient care for at least the next six months.
Individuals in the South Okanagan Similkameen in need of medical attention can call 250-493-5228 to schedule an appointment or book online at https://pathwaysmedicalcare.ca/clinic/community-walk-in-clinic. Patients with existing family doctors or nurse practitioners are encouraged to contact their providers before visiting the Walk-In Clinic.
Those seeking a family doctor or nurse practitioner are invited to register on the Health Connect Registry at Health Connect Registry Link.
Furthermore, it’s worth noting that since 2019, 50 new physicians have joined the South Okanagan Similkameen community, with an impressive 86% of them being under the age of 40, signifying a positive shift in healthcare resources for the region. 18,335 patients have been attached to a family physician or nurse practitioner over the same period, with 9,200 patients still looking for a primary care provider in the region.
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