Home News Local News New Children’s Care Clinic opens in Keswick

New Children’s Care Clinic opens in Keswick

October 23, 2024

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By Mike Anderson

There was more good news on the healthcare front this month with a new pediatric care clinic officially opening in Keswick on October 15.

The Children’s Care Clinic, located at 443 Queensway S, Unit 30, in the Glenwoods Centre Shopping Mall, provides primary care for children and youth aged 6 months to 18 years old.

The Georgina Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic (GNPLC) operates it in partnership with the Northern York South Simcoe Ontario Health Team (NYSS OHT) and Southlake, with funding provided by the Ministry of Health.

According to Clinic Director Beth Cowper-Fung, the new clinic provides care for urgent but non-life-threatening conditions such as coughs, colds, flu, headaches, and minor injuries.

Parents can book appointments through an online booking system (http://care-clinics.ca) with no referral required.

There is also no fee to access the clinic’s services, and if children already have a family physician, there is no penalty for seeking care there.

The clinic is currently open Monday to Thursday, between 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

However, Cowper-Fung says there are plans to extend hours beginning the week of November 11, with full days from Monday to Wednesday (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.), late days on Thursdays (8:30 to 7:30 p.m.), and Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

But she says additional hours will require more funding, as the current budget of $350,000 allows for only two full-time staff members: a Nurse Practitioner (NP) and a Registered Practical Nurse (RPN).

RPN Adrienne Bruce, Clinic Dir. Beth Cowper-Fung & Lead Admin. Bonnie Cheng

According to Gayle Seddon, Southlake’s Executive Director of Community Strategy and Operations, the clinic aims to bring pediatric care closer to Georgina families so they don’t have to travel to Southlake’s ER.

“This is about getting care closer to home for families when they don’t have access to primary care or the wait for primary care is a bit too long and their worried about their child,” said Seddon, who also would like to see the hours extended.

“Having time here after school hours and on the weekends is important; we know from statistics that this is when families seek a lot of care. We know where we have to expand as we bring more people into the clinic, and hopefully, in the future, with a little more funding, we will see that happen.”

MPP Caroline Mulroney, who secured the original funding from the Ministry of Health, was hopeful that additional funds would be forthcoming.

“We’re working closely with Southlake to support primary healthcare and critical care across York Region, including Georgina. So, I will always advocate for Georgina to get more healthcare. It’s my job. And, I take it very seriously,” Mulroney said.

While some parents may still prefer to have their children treated by a family physician, Seddon was quick to dispel any concerns.

“An NP is licensed in this province to provide care at this level. They’re extremely well-trained. And, if someone presents with a condition or a concern that is outside of what’s called their scope of practice, they’ve got Southlake and our pediatric program to fully back that up and get the little person into the care with the right practitioner. “

Cowper-Fung added, “If they can get in to see their family doctor or primary care NP they should. If they can’t, we are happy to provide care. We provide excellent care. NPs are also educated and trained to do health promotion and disease prevention and take a little bit more time with their patients.”